Ronaldo did not play in Al Nasr’s 2-0 home win, making it the second game he has missed in four days for unknown reasons.
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Published February 6, 2026
Cristiano Ronaldo has missed his second consecutive match with Al Nasr in the Saudi Pro League (SPL) following reports that he is dissatisfied with the club’s majority owners due to a lack of transfer activity.
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Al Nasr was not in the squad for Friday’s home match against defending champions Al Ittihad.
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The Portuguese superstar also missed Monday’s 1-0 win over Al Riyadh, raising questions about his long-term future at the club.
Portuguese outlet A Bola reported this week that Ronaldo is unhappy with the way Al Nasr is managed by the country’s Public Investment Fund.
The 38-year-old is said to have been angry at the club’s lack of action in the January transfer window, while watching rivals Al Hilal sign former Real Madrid teammate and Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema.
Without naming Ronaldo, the SPL issued a statement on Thursday stressing that there is no greater player in the league.
“The Saudi Professional League is built on a simple principle: all clubs operate independently under the same rules,” the league said.
“Clubs have their own boards, executives and football leadership. Decisions about recruitment, spending and strategy are left to those clubs within a financial framework designed to ensure a balance between sustainability and competitiveness. That framework applies equally across the league.”
Meanwhile, Al Nasr CEO Jose Semedo declined to comment on Ronaldo’s absence.
According to ESPN, Ronaldo has not suffered any injury, illness or displeasure with coach Jorge Jesus. He also has no intention of leaving Al Nasr, with whom he signed a lucrative two-year contract extension in June 2025.
According to CBS Sports, club executives understand Ronaldo’s frustration with Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund PIF, which owns Al Nasr, Al Hilal and two other professional league teams.
Ronaldo has scored 17 goals for the club this season.
