ITensions seem to continue between Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nasr in Arab football. The Portuguese star has missed two competitive matches and is unlikely to play in the third, but it is a critical situation for the club as they aim to break their drought and ultimately become league champions, and it will be Ronaldo’s first win in the Saudi Professional League.
Amid the controversy, purported text messages from Karim Benzema to Cristiano Ronaldo were leaked and may have contributed to the Portuguese’s anger.
What did Karim Benzema say to Cristiano Ronaldo?
The contents of the message, which is said to be a joke, caused discomfort and reactions both on and off the pitch.
Telegraph Sport reported that Benzema spoke to Ronaldo about a move to Al Ittihad, sarcastically commenting that switching clubs would allow him to win the league and get a raise. His tone was clearly light-hearted, but the context didn’t help calm the mood.
The improved relationship between Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo did not come at a good time. The Portuguese is at a point of dissatisfaction with Al Nasr, as he believes the club is at a disadvantage compared to other projects supported by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Why does Cristiano Ronaldo not want to play for Al Nasr?
After the winter transfer window closed, Ronaldo was left out of the team’s next two games, with some reports interpreting this as a silent protest. This is because Al-Hilal strengthened its team by recruiting celebrities, while Al-Nasr only brought in players with less influence in the media and sports.
Reports say that Ronaldo’s irritation was not directed directly at Benzema, but the message is said to have triggered serious concerns regarding the league’s management and competitive balance.
Benzema reacts on the pitch
Apart from the controversy, Karim Benzema made a great debut for Al Hilal by scoring a hat-trick in the 6-0 win against Al Okdoud. The Frenchman started the game at the discretion of coach Simone Inzaghi and responded with a goal.
This performance kept Al Hilal at the top of the standings and increased the pressure on Al Nasr, who are chasing their direct rivals in the title race.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Benzema have shared a dressing room at Real Madrid for many years, but their relationship has fluctuated between friendship and hostility in the past, but now a new chapter has been added to the perfect relationship between these two legends of world football.
