Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Al-Nassr faces uncertainty after he missed Monday’s Saudi Pro League match against Al-Riyadh. Portuguese outlet A Bola reported that the 40-year-old refused to play, citing frustration with the club’s management under Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). Both Al-Nassr and rivals Al-Hilal, the nation’s most successful club with 19 league titles, operate under PIF, which also owns Newcastle United. Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in 2022 after leaving Manchester United mid-season, signing a record £177 million annual contract. Despite the salary, he has only won the Arab Club Champions Cup with the Saudi club. He renewed a two-year deal in June 2025, though speculation had linked him with a move to Al-Hilal. Reports suggest Ronaldo grew frustrated after Al-Hilal signed his former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema.
Ronaldo’s struggle for trophies
Ronaldo has scored prolifically in Saudi Arabia, including 14 goals in the 2022-23 season after joining mid-campaign. He topped the league scoring charts in the last two seasons with 35 and 25 goals. In December, he won the Best Middle East Player at the Globe Soccer Awards, promising to reach 1,000 career goals. He netted his 17th goal of this season against Al-Kholood, reaching 961 goals—just 39 shy of his milestone. Yet, silverware has eluded him. Al-Nassr finished second in his first two seasons and third last year, 13 points behind Al-Ittihad. They lost the King’s Cup final to Al-Hilal on penalties in 2023-24. The club also exited the Asian Champions League Elite semi-finals to Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale, qualifying this season only for the second-tier Asian Champions League Two. Meanwhile, Al-Ahli claimed the Asian championship with players like Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, and Ivan Toney. Ronaldo’s only trophy with Al-Nassr remains the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup.
Investment gap fuels frustration
Al-Nassr belongs to Saudi Arabia’s ‘big four’ alongside Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli, and Al-Ittihad. PIF-backed clubs spent roughly £700 million in summer 2023, signing global stars like Neymar to Al-Hilal. Al-Hilal also acquired Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ruben Neves. Al-Nassr signed Alex Telles, Aymeric Laporte, Sadio Mane, and Marcelo Brozovic. Al-Ahli added Mahrez, Edouard Mendy, and Firmino, while Al-Ittihad recruited N’Golo Kante, Fabinho, and Jota. Despite these moves, Al-Nassr remains without major trophies. Recent spending cuts left Al-Nassr behind newly promoted Neom SC and Al-Qadsiah. While Al-Nassr signed Joao Felix and Kingsley Coman last summer, they remained quiet in January, even as they contested the league title with Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli. Meanwhile, Al-Hilal added Pablo Mari and 18-year-old Mohamed Kader Meite in the current transfer window.
Signs of slowing Saudi investment
The PIF portfolio includes Newcastle United, the LIV golf series, and sponsorship of ATP and WTA tennis. Saudi Arabia also hosts international sports events from Formula 1 to WWE and will stage the 2034 FIFA World Cup. However, spending may be tapering. The 2029 Asian Winter Games, planned for Neom city, were postponed indefinitely. Construction delays and rising costs have also scaled back Neom, part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification. Saudi Pro League clubs face new financial regulations since July 2025, promoting a sustainable model over unrestricted spending. After more than £1.1 billion spent since 2023, clubs now operate with more fiscal caution, reflecting the broader shift in Saudi sports investment.
Ronaldo’s determination remains
Ronaldo has always pursued his goals regardless of controversy. At Manchester United, he openly criticized the club’s facilities, structure, and coach Erik ten Hag before leaving. Despite backlash, he stood by his statements and moved on. At 40, with record wages and limited trophies at Al-Nassr, his reaction will be decisive. The football world awaits how he navigates this latest challenge in Saudi Arabia.
