Cristiano Ronaldo is said to have gone on strike at Al Nassr amid a heated dispute over how the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund runs the club.
Ronaldo was absent from the Saudi Pro League match of Al Nassr against Al Riyadh, although he was not injured or suspended. This puts his teammates in a difficult situation in the context of the tense championship race.
The cause of this anger is said to stem from Al Nassr's winter transfer activity. The Portuguese national team captain is not satisfied with the favor being given to opponents also owned by PIF.
Al Nassr is one of 4 clubs in the Saudi Pro League owned by the Saudi Arabian state, along with Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad, all in PIF's investment portfolio. Currently, Al Hilal is leading the league table with 1 point more than Al Nassr, the second-placed team.
Al Hilal had a successful transfer window when they added blockbuster contract Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad. In addition, they also recruited former Arsenal defender Pablo Mari and young star Mohamed Kader Meite of Rennes for a fee of 26 million pounds.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo's Al Nassr has only just signed a contract with 21-year-old Iraqi center-back Hayer Abdulkareem. This is a silence in the transfer market that is considered the reason why the 40-year-old star is dissatisfied.
According to Saudi Arabian media, Al Nassr CEO Jose Semedo declined to comment. In June last year, Ronaldo signed a 2-year contract extension with Al Nassr, estimated to be worth about 500,000 pounds per week, as he is still the representative face of Saudi Arabia's football project. However, the latest developments make his future more unpredictable.
Ronaldo is still determined to play as he is pursuing the milestone of 1,000 goals, currently missing 39 goals to achieve. But with his increasing age, he may find a way to leave Al Nassr if this conflict is not resolved in the near future.
I am still very passionate and want to continue. Whether playing anywhere, in the Middle East or Europe is not a problem. I always like playing football and I want to continue playing. I am sure I will reach the milestone (1,000 goals) if I don't get injured" - Ronaldo said at an awards ceremony in Dubai in December last year.
CR7 is also expected to participate in this year's World Cup with the Portuguese national team. FIFA has reduced his controversial suspension related to the red card in the match against Ireland.
This striker is at risk of missing 2 of Portugal's 3 group stage matches after being sent off for violent behavior. However, FIFA decided to temporarily suspend the last 2 matches on suspension, provided Ronaldo does not commit "any other violation of similar nature and severity during the probation period".
Al Nassr certainly wants Ronaldo to return as soon as possible, as the Portuguese striker has scored 17 goals in 18 matches in the national championship this season.
Al Nassr's next match is also considered extremely important, when they face Al Ittihad. Notably, this is one of the opponents that Ronaldo is said to be feeling special favor.
