Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly refused to play for Al Nasr during Monday’s 1-0 win over Al Riyadh in protest against the Saudi Professional League’s transfer business.
Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly went on strike in Al Nasr’s last match (Image: Fayez NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo added another goal on Monday. The 961-goal icon was absent from Al Nasr’s squad to face local rivals Al Riyadh in the Saudi Professional League, and the reason was soon revealed.
Ronaldo, 40, is reportedly furious at the fact that his former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema has been allowed to join title rivals Al Nasr. On transfer deadline day, Al Hilal, who lead the league by one point with Ronaldo’s side, announced that they had signed Benzema from reigning champions Al Ittihad on a lucrative 18-month contract.
The free transfer was granted after Benzema’s controversial contract with Jeddah. What is unique is that all three clubs are managed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
And Ronaldo is understood to be directing his anger at the man.
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Anger erupts over Benzema’s transfer
Benzema, 38, has six months left on his contract and Al Ittihad are said to have offered him a reduced contract. The French striker flatly rejected their proposals and was left to train alone, feeling “disrespected” by his former club.
The Telegraph said the PIF subsequently sanctioned al-Hilal’s move, with sources insisting that everything was done correctly. Ronaldo is reportedly furious as Al Hilal look increasingly likely to win the league as a result of the deadline day drama.
Ronaldo is still chasing his first major trophy in Saudi Arabia. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has only recently risen through the ranks of the Arab Champions club since his acrimonious exit from Manchester United in December 2022.
Karim Benzema swapped Al Ittihad for Al Hilal in a controversial transfer (Image: Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
Press conference canceled
Al Nasr manager Jorge Jesus was scheduled to speak to the media after Sadio Mane’s goal led to a 1-0 win away at Al Riyadh on Monday. However, his press conference was canceled.
According to Saudi publication Al-Yaum, Al-Nasr’s coach ordered his players and staff not to speak to any media after the match. It was an unusual move for a league trying to increase its global appeal.
Is Cristiano Ronaldo right to go on strike? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
Jorge Jesus did not hold a post-match press conference (Image: Ismael Adnan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
What’s next?
Al Nasr’s next match will be on Friday, coincidentally at the home of Al Ittihad. Depending on the result of Al Hilal’s match against Al Ahdoud on Thursday, Jesus and his team could take the lead if they win, having drawn their last two games.
It is unclear whether Ronaldo will be involved and whether there will be an official announcement before the match. Despite signing a contract extension until June 2027, many fans are wondering: Is this the beginning of the end for Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia?
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