Cristiano Ronaldo is trying to intervene in Al Hilal’s bid to sign Karim Benzema, but he is frustrated by Al Nasr’s poor performance and is trying to block the move.
Cristiano Ronaldo dissatisfied with Al Nasr’s lack of transfer activity
Cristiano Ronaldo has put pressure on Saudi Arabia’s leaders to cancel Karim Benzema’s contract with Al Hilal, according to reports.
The Portuguese superstar, who has been at Al Nasr since 2023, has grown frustrated with the lack of transfer activity from the club, which has yet to win a title during his stay in the Middle East.
He faces seeing recently crowned champions Al Hilal acquire Benzema from Al Ittihad. The Frenchman looks set to leave the club after balking at his latest contract offer, which would effectively see him play for the bare minimum.
Al-Hilal is ready to pounce, but the deal is currently on hold. Although the ministry has not yet crossed the line and intervened, it seems unlikely that he will transfer to Al Nasr. The club’s owners, PIF, have no intention of giving them the funds to complete the deal.
But Prince Al Waleed, who is set to become full owner of Al Hilal in the summer, can use his own wealth to finance the transfer – a luxury Al Nasr does not have, transfer expert Sacha Tavolieri insists.
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Ronaldo was not included in Al Nasr’s match against Al Riyadh in the Saudi Pro League on Monday, effectively making it clear that he does not want to play. He is not out of support from coach Jorge Jesus, and there are no worries about injury.
His problems stem from a lack of PIF transfer activity. Ronaldo is frustrated that Al Nasr failed to make any notable additions in their bid to win the title, while their main rivals are aiming to sign the Ballon d’Or winner. The situation ended with the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star effectively going on strike.
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Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t want to see Karim Benzema leave for Al Hilal (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Al Nasr are in third place, three points behind Al Hilal, but Ronaldo is still waiting to make his club debut after the team signed Iraq U-23 international midfielder Haidiya Abdulkareem this month.
Meanwhile, Al Hilal have already signed 18-year-old forward Mohamed Meite from Rennes and former Arsenal defender Pablo Mari from Fiorentina. They also added Saudi Arabian representatives Murad Al Hawsawi and Sultan Mandash from Al Khaleeji and Al Tawun. Benzema could become their fifth major signing.
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