Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly refused to participate in Al Nassr’s 1-0 victory over Al Riyadh in the Saudi Pro League on February 3rd. Sources close to the player indicated that Ronaldo’s absence stemmed from his deep dissatisfaction with the management practices of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which he believes shows strong favoritism towards rival club Al Hilal.
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) serves as Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, established to provide financial backing, investment, and development across more than 60 sectors within the kingdom. Major football clubs in Saudi Arabia, including Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ahli, and Al Ittihad, are all under the direct control of the PIF. The fund has played a pivotal role in the rapid growth of the sports sector in Saudi Arabia. Beyond domestic investments, the PIF also holds a significant stake in English Premier League club Newcastle United.
According to reports from the Portuguese newspaper A Bola, the 40-year-old forward was indeed absent from the Al Nassr versus Al Riyadh fixture held at the Prince Turki bin Abdulaziz Stadium. Despite Ronaldo’s non-appearance, Al Nassr managed to secure a crucial three points, allowing them to maintain their challenge at the top of the Saudi Pro League standings.
Initially, Saudi media outlets suggested that Ronaldo was merely resting to prepare for an upcoming high-profile match against Al Ittihad scheduled for February 6th. However, these reports were swiftly refuted by insiders within the Al Nassr club. These sources clarified that the Portuguese international’s absence was specifically due to his strong discontent regarding the PIF’s management, particularly its perceived bias and disproportionate financial support directed towards Al Hilal.
While both Al Nassr and Al Hilal are ultimately controlled by the Saudi PIF, Ronaldo has reportedly grown frustrated, believing that Al Nassr is being overlooked. He perceives that the club is not receiving the same level of investment or additional support compared to Al Hilal. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner reportedly feels that this imbalance negatively impacts team morale and, crucially, compromises Al Nassr’s chances of competing effectively for the Saudi Pro League title.
Further compounding Ronaldo’s frustration is Al Nassr’s transfer strategy. During the recent transfer window, Al Nassr reportedly managed to sign only one player, 21-year-old Iraqi midfielder Haydeer Abdulkareem. Reports suggest that Ronaldo’s requests to head coach Jorge Jesus for more significant squad reinforcements were ultimately denied.
In stark contrast, Al Hilal reportedly made several high-profile additions, further intensifying Ronaldo’s irritation. According to reports, Al Hilal acquired defender Pablo Mari from Fiorentina for over $2 million and 18-year-old forward Kader Meite from Rennes for $30 million. Additionally, Al Hilal was reportedly close to signing star striker Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad, amid ongoing contractual issues between the French player and his club. Al Hilal also reportedly secured the services of French Under-21 international Saimon Bouabre from Neom for $33 million, highlighting a significant disparity in transfer market activity between the two PIF-owned clubs.
