Al Nasr had a very quiet January transfer window, with Cristiano Ronaldo going on strike, while Saudi Pro League title rivals Al Hilal splashed out on a big-money signing for Karim Benzema.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema both play for Saudi Arabia (Image: Lampson Yip – Clicks Images/Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo was reportedly upset by a message from Karim Benzema during his strike at Al Nasr. Ronaldo’s refusal to play for Al Nasr in protest of various problems with the Saudi Pro League side did not make his former team-mates gloating.
The 41-year-old sat out the games against Al Ittihad and Al Riyadh as a way to make his feelings clear to Al Nasr, the Pro League and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). He is furious at the lack of transfer activity within the club and the diminishing influence of his allies, chief executive Jose Semedo and director of football Simon Coutinho.
Ronaldo ended his strike after face-to-face negotiations in which Semedo and Simao returned power. Therefore, he is expected to return to the starting lineup for this weekend’s match between Al Nasr and Al Fateh.
However, the Telegraph reports that Ronaldo remains frustrated by Al Nasr’s lack of success in the January transfer window, especially considering the stark contrast to their rival clubs. Benzema left Al Ittihad on deadline and moved to Al Hilal, feeling insulted by the new contract he was offered.
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Ronaldo’s mood was not helped by a gloating message from his former Real Madrid teammate. He reportedly boasted about getting a pay rise and joining a club that will win the Saudi Professional League this season. Benzema swapped seventh-placed Al Ittihad for Al Hilal, who are one point behind league leaders Ronaldo’s Al Nasr.
Al Hilal strengthened their squad with the signings of Benzema, Rennes star Mohamed Meite, former Arsenal defender Pablo Mari from Fiorentina, and Saudi internationals Murad Al Hawsawi and Sultan Mandash. In contrast, Al-Nasr remained silent despite also being owned by PIF.
Although the short-term future of Ronaldo and Al Nasr is no longer in doubt, tensions remain and a summer transfer remains a possibility. The former Manchester United star has a release clause in his contract that would allow him to leave for £43 million, and clubs across Europe and MLS are reportedly interested in signing him.
Cristiano Ronaldo ends Al Nasr’s strike (Image: Waleed Zein/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Al-Nasr coach Jorge Jesus has made it clear that he will not sign a new contract until he knows what Ronaldo is planning, according to Al-Riyadiya news agency. Jesus will only commit to the club if Ronaldo stays to fulfill his contract until 2027.
Ronaldo is by far the biggest star in the Saudi Professional League, earning around £488,000 a day from Al Nasr (equivalent to £180m a year). His strike forced the Saudi football authorities to issue a statement explaining how PIF-owned clubs are run.
Al Nasr fans showed their support for Cristiano Ronaldo over the weekend (Image: Fayez NURELDINE / AFP via Getty Images)
A spokesperson said: “Clubs have their own boards, their own executives and their own football leaders. Decisions about recruitment, spending and strategy are left to those clubs within a financial framework designed to ensure a balance between sustainability and competitiveness.”
“Cristiano has been fully involved with Al Nasr since joining and has played a key role in the club’s growth and ambitions. Like any elite player, he wants to win. But no one, no matter how important, makes decisions beyond his own club.
“Recent transfer activity clearly shows that independence. Some clubs have strengthened in certain ways, others have chosen a different approach. They were club decisions taken within the approved financial terms.”
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