Cristiano Ronaldo is about to miss a second consecutive match against Al Nasr, and it is impossible to hide this message. The Portuguese player reappeared at training on social media holding up a blue and yellow heart, but the gesture was not enough to hide the obvious fact. The conflict is not with his club, but with those who govern Saudi football.
Fabrizio Romano says the anger remains. And that’s no small thing. The trigger was the surprise signing of Karim Benzema by Al Hilal, which ended minutes before the market closed. This operation changed the internal balance of the Saudi project and was interpreted by Cristiano as a betrayal of his position within the program.
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his 41st birthday with his best dance routine
symbol rebellion
Cristiano was not absent due to injury. He was absent voluntarily.
He missed the crucial match against Al Riyadh for the Saudi Pro League title and has already launched what can be described as a covert attack. Al Nasr won 1-0, but the result was not very important. The club’s subsequent silence (no statement or explanation) made it clear that the matter was deeper and more sensitive than they wanted to admit.
Internal support was total, with teammates, management and even Jorge Jesus rounding out the team. But even that support has its limits when conflict moves upwards, towards structures that determine signatures, hierarchies, and narratives.
Benzema, trigger of ego war
Benzema’s arrival is not just the signing of a star player. It’s a symbolic change. Cristiano was the face of the Saudi project, its calling card to the world, the man who legitimized the league. Seeing the Ballon d’Or winner arrive again to boost his biggest rival was interpreted as a clear sign that CR7 was no longer untouchable. And when he feels that Cristiano is losing his centrality, he reacts.
Rumors, clauses and a future in doubt once again
In recent hours, there were also reports that he was in the suburbs of Riyadh and in Portugal. Some were rejected, some were not. In fact, there has been a lot of controversy over the €50 million termination fee that is said to be included in the contract extension signed in June, which runs until 2027.
For the first time since his arrival in Saudi Arabia, Cristiano’s continuity is once again under discussion, but not because of his performance, but because of his power.
The key to Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence
Cristiano Ronaldo may miss second consecutive match against Al Nasr Conflict arises after Karim Benzema signs for Al Hilal Al Nasr avoids speaking publicly on the matter CR7 is 38 goals away from reaching 1,000 competitive goals There is also talk of a 50 million yen release clause valid until 2027
Saudi Arabia learned quickly…so did Cristiano
Saudi projects no longer revolve around a single name. And Cristiano, accustomed to being the sun, is faced with a system in which he has learned not to depend on anyone. This “strike” is not a tantrum, but a power struggle. And for the first time in years, Cristiano Ronaldo no longer has control over every piece on the board.
