Ronaldo future uncertain after Saudi Pro League warns no player can influence decisions beyond their own club
Ronaldo future uncertain after the Saudi Pro League publicly warned that no player, regardless of stature, can influence decisions beyond their own club, amid growing speculation over Cristiano Ronaldo’s position at Al-Nassr.
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The 41-year-old Portugal forward was omitted from Al-Nassr’s squad for Monday’s league match against Al-Riyadh, prompting reports in Portugal that he had refused to play due to frustration with the club’s internal management.
Ronaldo later posted an image of himself training, but doubts remain over whether he will feature in Friday’s high-profile league clash with Al-Ittihad.
According to reports cited by the BBC on Friday, Ronaldo’s dissatisfaction was partly triggered by Karim Benzema’s move from Al-Ittihad to league leaders Al-Hilal earlier this week.
Benzema, a former Real Madrid team-mate of Ronaldo, made an immediate impact by scoring a hat-trick on his debut in a 6-0 victory over Al-Okhdood.
Both Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal are owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which has driven the rapid expansion and global visibility of the Saudi Pro League.
However, league officials were swift to reject any suggestion that individual stars could influence recruitment decisions across clubs.
In a statement issued to BBC Sport, a Saudi Pro League spokesperson said every club operates independently under the same rules, with decisions on recruitment, spending and strategy resting solely with each club’s leadership.
The spokesperson acknowledged Ronaldo’s influence since joining Al-Nassr in 2022, describing his role in the club’s growth as significant, while stressing that no individual determines decisions beyond their own team.
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr after leaving Manchester United midway through the 2021-22 season, becoming the highest-paid footballer in history on a reported annual salary of £177 million.
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Despite his formidable scoring record, his only major trophy with the Riyadh club remains the Arab Club Champions Cup, adding to the uncertainty surrounding his long-term future in Saudi Arabia.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
