Cristiano Ronaldo is at loggerheads with Al Nasr, the powers behind the Saudi Arabian club, for not spending enough money on new contracts, but is pocketing around £500,000 a day in the process.
Cristiano Ronaldo did not play for Al Nasr on Monday (Image: 2026 Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo is used to getting what he wants.
He persuaded Sir Alex Ferguson to sell him to Real Madrid. When he tired of life at Juventus, he engineered a big-money move to Manchester United, sealing the deal after phoning Fergie to encourage the return of his ‘prodigal son’.
United released Ronaldo from his contract after deciding he could no longer be part of Erik ten Hag’s team. He then signed a coveted and sensational contract with Al Nasr in Saudi Arabia, becoming football’s first billionaire.
What exactly went wrong for Ronaldo? Well, in breaking away from the status quo, Ronaldo is not getting what he wants.
As a result, he ends up throwing his toys out of the stroller. he went on strike. He is furious that the club has not paid him a transfer fee and refused to play in Al Nasr’s match at Al Riyadh on Monday night.
read more: Cristiano Ronaldo renews ‘strike’ after canceling Al Nasr appearance amid transfer controversyread more: Cristiano Ronaldo embroiled in transfer drama due to strike and transfer block
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What put him in danger was Karim Benzema joining Al Hilal from Al Ittihad.
All three clubs are owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). Ronaldo is happy that Al Hilal were allowed to make such an important signing when they lead Ronaldo’s Al Nasr by one point in the Pro League. Ronaldo is reportedly furious that Al Hilal have been allowed to spend £180m more than his club since the start of 2022.
Ronaldo is yet to win a league title since arriving in Saudi Arabia. So under normal circumstances, he might have a point.
However, these are not normal circumstances, given that Al Nasr are spending a staggering £488,000 a day to have Ronaldo in their squad. The Portuguese’s lack of self-awareness is as surprising as his salary.
Cristiano Ronaldo made a huge amount of money in the twilight of his career thanks to Saudi Arabia (Image: 2026 Getty Images)
