Cristiano Ronaldo has been on strike for the past week, unhappy with the way his club Al Nasr is being run, and Saudi Arabia’s leaders have also spoken out about the unrest.
Ronaldo considering extending strike against Al Nasr (Image: Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo has been told that no player can have any say in the club’s management amid the ongoing unrest in Saudi Arabia. The Portuguese forward has been on strike for the past week, reportedly disappointed with Al Nasr’s manager’s approach.
He was left out of the squad for Monday’s match against Al Riyadh and is considering missing Friday’s match against Al Ittihad.
Saudi Arabia’s leaders have now responded to Ronaldo’s complaints, insisting that all clubs operating under the PIF banner are run independently. A spokesperson said: “The Saudi Professional League is built on the simple principle that all clubs operate independently and under the same rules.”
“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. That framework applies equally across the league.”
read more: Cristiano Ronaldo decides to go on strike as Saudi clubs face big transfer consequencesread more: Cristiano Ronaldo’s stance on returning to Manchester United and why he was able to quit Saudi Arabia after refusing to play
Join us on Facebook! For the latest news, analysis and more on our Mirror Football Facebook page
“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.”
“The competitiveness of the league speaks for itself. With only a few points separating the top four, there is a very strong competition for the title. This level of balance reflects that the system is working as intended.”
Ronaldo missed Monday’s match between Al Nasr and Al Riyadh (Image: Getty Images)
Will Ronaldo ever return to Europe? Share your thoughts in the comments section below
“The focus remains on football, on the pitch where it belongs, and on maintaining credible and competitive competition for players and fans.”
Ronaldo was released from his contract at Old Trafford and joined Al Nasr from Manchester United in 2022. The 41-year-old has since scored 111 goals in 127 appearances for the Saudi side.
However, Al Nasr finished third last season and has yet to lead the club to a league title during his tenure. This means they are midway through the season, four points behind league leaders Al Hilal.
Ronaldo only signed a new two-year contract with Al Nasr last June, which will see him pay an eye-watering £178m a year. The contract is scheduled to run until June 2027.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
Sky Sports Premier League and EFL package discounts
£49
£35
sky
Get the deal here
Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 on their bill and offering more than 1,400 live matches from Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will broadcast at least 215 live Premier League matches next season, with an increase of up to 100 more.
