The Saudi Pro League has issued a stern warning to global football icon Cristiano Ronaldo, emphasizing that no individual player holds the power to determine decisions beyond the scope of their own club. This statement comes amid growing speculation and doubts regarding Ronaldo's future with his current team, Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo's Omission and Reported Dissatisfaction
The 41-year-old Portuguese forward was notably left out of Al-Nassr's squad for their recent Saudi Pro League match against Al-Riyadh on Monday. According to reports from Portuguese outlet A Bola, Ronaldo refused to participate in the game due to growing dissatisfaction with how the club is being managed under the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Sources have indicated to BBC Sport that a primary factor behind Ronaldo's frustration is the recent transfer of his former Real Madrid teammate, Karim Benzema. The 38-year-old French striker moved from Al-Ittihad to league leaders Al-Hilal earlier this week and made an immediate impact by scoring a hat-trick on his debut in a commanding 6-0 victory over Al-Okhdood on Thursday.
League Structure and Club Independence
In an official statement provided to BBC Sport, a spokesperson for the Saudi Pro League clarified the league's operational framework. The spokesperson explained:
- The league is built on a principle where each club operates independently under uniform rules.
- Clubs maintain their own boards, executives, and football leadership teams.
- Decisions concerning recruitment, spending, and overall strategy rest solely with the individual clubs.
- This structure operates within a financial framework designed to promote sustainability and competitive balance across the league.
The spokesperson acknowledged Ronaldo's significant contributions since his arrival, stating, Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al-Nassr and has played an important role in the club's growth and ambition. Like any elite competitor, he wants to win. However, the statement firmly added, But no individual - however significant - determines decisions beyond their own club.
Recent Transfers and Competitive Context
The league pointed to recent transfer activities as evidence of this independence. One club strengthened in a particular way. Another chose a different approach. Those were club decisions, taken within approved financial parameters, the spokesperson noted.
It is worth noting that both Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal, the latter being the most successful club in Saudi Arabia with 19 league titles, are among the teams controlled by the PIF, which also holds a stake in English Premier League side Newcastle United.
Ronaldo's Current Situation and Contract Details
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in 2022 after departing Manchester United mid-season, securing a historic contract that made him the best-paid player in football history with an annual salary of £177 million. Despite his high-profile move, his trophy haul with the club has been limited to the Arab Club Champions Cup.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner signed a new two-year contract extension in June 2025. However, prior to finalizing this agreement, there was widespread speculation that he might leave Al-Nassr, with a potential loan move to rivals Al-Hilal being among the rumored options.
In contrast to Al-Hilal's high-profile acquisition of Benzema, Al-Nassr's activity in the January transfer window was relatively modest, signing only Iraq Under-23 midfielder Hayder Abdulkareem.
League Standings and Upcoming Fixtures
Al-Hilal currently leads the Saudi Pro League, remaining unbeaten this season with 50 points from 20 games. Al-Nassr sits in third place, four points behind, although they hold a game in hand. Despite posting a picture of himself back in training on Wednesday, Saudi Pro League officials remain uncertain whether Ronaldo will feature in Al-Nassr's upcoming match against Al-Ittihad on Friday.
This situation highlights the ongoing tensions between star players' ambitions and the structured, club-centric governance model promoted by the Saudi Pro League, setting a precedent for how high-profile disputes are managed within the rapidly growing football landscape.
