Superstar striker Cristiano Ronaldo has initiated a significant boycott of Al Nassr matches, expressing profound dissatisfaction with the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia. The 40-year-old football icon is reportedly demanding specific investment guarantees and substantial improvements in the club’s leadership. Ronaldo has issued an ultimatum, threatening to depart from Al Nassr by June if a satisfactory resolution from the PIF is not achieved.
Sources close to Al Nassr have informed ESPN that, in the absence of explicit financial assurances from the PIF directed towards Al Nassr, the Portuguese national team star is prepared to leave the club immediately in June. Ronaldo has already declined to participate in an upcoming second match for Al Nassr, where the team is scheduled to face Al Ittihad. This decision follows his earlier absence from the match against Al Riyadh, which Al Nassr won 1-0 on February 2, 2026.
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) functions as Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, playing a pivotal role in the nation’s financial support, investment, and development, reportedly accounting for over 60 percent of these efforts. Several prominent football clubs in the Saudi Pro League, including Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ahli, and Al Ittihad, operate under the strategic management of the PIF. It is also noteworthy that this immensely wealthy fund holds ownership of Premier League club Newcastle United.
Ronaldo’s boycott, originating from the captain of the Portuguese national team, stems from his demand that the PIF provide equitable investment to Al Nassr, ensuring it matches the financial backing and resources allocated to their fierce Saudi Pro League rivals, Al Hilal. According to Al Nassr sources, Ronaldo also made attempts to obstruct the high-profile transfer of Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad to Al Hilal. Ronaldo reportedly perceived this move as inherently unfair, suggesting it demonstrated a deliberate effort by the fund to pave the way for Al Hilal to secure the Saudi Arabia top league title.
Despite Ronaldo’s concerns and reported intervention, Al Hilal officially completed the transfer of the 38-year-old French striker Karim Benzema by February 4. Benzema joined Al Hilal on a free transfer, with 25% of his contract fees reportedly funded by Prince Al Waleed’s club offer, while the significant remaining 75% of the contract price was covered by the PIF.
In an apparent attempt to appease the five-time Ballon d’Or winner and prevent his potential departure from Saudi Arabia, the same sources confirmed to ESPN that the PIF fund has promised Ronaldo a substantial investment package specifically for the 2027 season, aimed at retaining his presence in the Saudi Pro League.
