The absence of
Cristiano Ronaldo from the group ofAl-Nassr FC facing Al-Riyadh immediately sparked a reaction. At 40, the Portuguese star remains the face of the Saudi project, hence the surprise of not even seeing him on the bench. In an increasingly scrutinized Saudi Pro League, this decision has fueled rumors and speculation, particularly on a possible internal standoff.
Crisis at Al-Nassr: Ronaldo left behind
According to several Portuguese sources, this sidelining takes place in a context of strong tensions linked to the winter transfer window. Ronaldo is said to be particularly frustrated with the management of the club by the Saudi Public Fund (PIF), which also oversees other competing teams. The attacker would judge Al-Nassr to be at a disadvantage in certain matters, which would have fueled deep discontent behind the scenes. Its absence thus appears less like a sporting sanction than as a symptom of a strategic disagreement.
On the field, Al-Nassr plays big. A victory would allow the club to stay in contact with Al-Hilal in the title race. But the workforce remains limited by the number of foreign players authorized and by a reduced financial margin, publicly recognized by the staff. In this context, the situation of Ronaldo, a sporting leader but also a figure of influence, becomes difficult to manage.
In the short term, Al-Nassr hopes to ease tensions before the highly anticipated clash against Al-Ittihad. The objective is clear: put Ronaldo back at the center of the sporting project. It remains to be seen whether this absence will mark a simple episode of pressure or the start of a deeper power struggle, at a key moment in the Saudi season.
