Saudi Pro League show Cristiano Ronaldo who's boss with clear statement
Cristiano Ronaldo has been told that no player can have a say in how their club is run as his Saudi row rolls on. The Portuguese forward has been on strike over the past week after reportedly being left disappointed by the way Al-Nassr has been run.
He was notably left out of the side as they took on Al-Riyadh on Monday and he is considering also sitting out for Friday’s clash with Al-Ittihad.
Saudi bosses have now responded to Ronaldo’s grievances and have claimed that every club run under the PIF banner is run independently. A spokesperson said: “The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules.
“Clubs have their own boards, their own executives and their own football leadership. Decisions on recruitment, spending and strategy sit with those clubs, within a financial framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance. That framework applies equally across the league.
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“Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al-Nassr since his arrival and has played an important role in the club’s growth and ambition. Like any elite competitor, he wants to win. But no individual – however significant – determines decisions beyond their own club.
“Recent transfer activity demonstrates that independence clearly. One club strengthened in a particular way. Another chose a different approach. Those were club decisions, taken within approved financial parameters.
“The competitiveness of the league speaks for itself. With only a few points separating the top four, the title race is very much alive. That level of balance reflects a system that is working as intended.
“The focus remains on football – on the pitch, where it belongs – and on maintaining a credible, competitive competition for players and fans.”
Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr from Manchester United back in 2022, having had his contract cancelled at Old Trafford. The 41-year-old has since scored 111 goals in 127 appearances for the Saudi side.
But he has yet to lead the club to the league title during his time with the club, Al-Nassr having finished third last season. That is a position that they occupy midway through the current campaign, having slipped four points behind league leaders Al-Hilal.
Ronaldo only signed a new two-year deal with Al-Nassr in June last year that sees him bank an eye-watering £178m per year. That contract is due to run until June 2027.
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