The conflict between Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nasr has rocked the Saudi Professional League and resulted in a warning from former Real Madrid star Toni Kroos.
The Portuguese forward has refused to feature in his club’s last two games amid a dispute with ownership, fueling speculation that the league is relying on its biggest stars.
Toni Kroos, who played alongside Ronaldo at Real Madrid from 2014 to 2018, didn’t mince words when speaking about the situation in an interview with Brian Nasr.
“The Saudi League is a different world. No one knew about it until Cristiano arrived, and now they are disrespecting the man who brought them international glory. I tell you, if Ronaldo leaves tomorrow, no one will watch this league anymore,” Kroos said.
Ronaldo, who signed a contract with Al Nasr until 2027 last summer, continues to do well in Saudi Arabia despite being 41 years old. However, ongoing disputes with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the club’s management make it unclear whether he will fulfill his contract.
The superstar reportedly has a release clause of 43 million yen, and there have been rumors of a possible return to Europe or a move to Major League Soccer.
The conflict began after Ronaldo refused to play in Al Nasr’s final two games, citing unpaid wages and disagreements with club leaders.
According to reports, the PIF has responded to the pressure by resolving some of the club’s staff’s unpaid wages and holding talks to reinstate CEO Jose Semedo and sporting director Simao Coutinho, who were asked to resign in December.
Ronaldo ends strike, returns to action
After almost a week of speculation, Ronaldo has reportedly ended his strike and is expected to return to action this weekend. He will not play in Al Nasr’s AFC Champions League 2 match against Al-Qadag on Wednesday, but sources say he will be available for Saturday’s Saudi Pro League match against Al Fateh.
The drama highlights Ronaldo’s enormous influence in Saudi football. Kroos’ warning underlines how much the league has grown through the signing of its top players.
“Nobody knew about Cristiano until he arrived,” Kroos said, underscoring the player’s commercial and global impact. Without him, the league risks losing both international attention and domestic viewership.
Ronaldo’s continued career shows remarkable longevity. Even in his 40s, he continues to garner attention for both his on-field performance and off-field impact.
His time at Al Nasr was marked by impressive statistics, leadership, and star power that catapulted the Saudi Pro League to international prominence in just one year.
The coming weeks will test both Ronaldo and Al Nasr as the league looks for stability and Ronaldo considers his long-term future.
