Cristiano Ronaldo Set To End Saudi Pro League Strike Ahead Of Al-Ittihad Clash

Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly ready to bring his unexpected standoff with Al-Nassr to an end, with the Portuguese superstar set to return to action in a pivotal Saudi Pro League showdown against Al-Ittihad on Friday.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner had shocked fans after removing himself from selection for Al-Nassr’s recent derby clash against Al-Riyadh, a move widely interpreted as protest over internal frustrations surrounding transfer spending and competitive balance within the league.

Why Ronaldo Missed The Derby

Ronaldo’s absence came amid growing dissatisfaction over how financial resources are distributed among Saudi Pro League clubs, particularly those owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). The breaking point was reportedly Karim Benzema’s high-profile switch to Al-Hilal, a move Ronaldo strongly opposed.

Despite Ronaldo’s stance, the transfer went through, prompting the Al-Nassr captain to withdraw from contention. Head coach Jorge Jesus was forced to reshuffle, but the team still secured a narrow 1-0 victory, with Sadio Mane scoring the decisive goal.

Still, Al-Nassr know their title ambitions are far stronger with Ronaldo leading the line.

Saudi Pro League Responds To Ronaldo Claims

According to Sky Sports News, Ronaldo believes Al-Nassr are not receiving the same level of financial backing as fellow PIF-linked clubs Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli, and Al-Ittihad. However, league officials insist the competition remains balanced.

Reports also clarified that Benzema’s move to Al-Hilal was funded by private Saudi billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, not directly by PIF, and that Al-Nassr are free to attract similar private investment.

Saudi Pro League sources maintain that Ronaldo has full institutional support, adding that he has been involved in club decisions and transfer discussions, making his public frustration somewhat surprising.

The league also highlighted that Al-Nassr have already spent around £100 million this season, assembling a star-studded squad featuring Joao Felix and Kingsley Coman alongside Ronaldo.

Ronaldo Back In Training, Title Push On

With tensions cooling, Ronaldo has returned to full training and is expected to feature against Al-Ittihad — a match that could significantly reshape the title race. A win on Friday could see Al-Nassr leap back to the top of the table.

At nearly 41 years old, Ronaldo remains contractually obligated to play unless injured and is currently negotiating what could become the most lucrative contract in football history, reportedly earning him £500,000 per day.

Criticism From Former Players

Not everyone has been sympathetic to Ronaldo’s actions. Former Premier League midfielder Danny Murphy criticised the situation on talkSPORT, calling the episode “self-indulgent nonsense” and questioning the logic behind the protest.

Regardless of opinions, Ronaldo’s return is a massive boost for Al-Nassr — and for the Saudi Pro League’s global spotlight.

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