The transfer of former Real Madrid teammate and current SPL rival Karim Benzema has upset Cristiano Ronaldo, reports say.
Two of the world’s most popular footballers have caused a stir in Saudi football on the last day of the mid-year transfer window.
Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and French football icon Karim Benzema, who play in the Saudi Professional League (SPL), made headlines on Monday for their off-field behavior.
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Star forward Benzema’s move from Al Ittihad to Al Hilal was confirmed hours after Ronaldo was not named for Al Nasr’s SPL match against Al Riyadh.
Here’s a breakdown of what happened on SPL transfer deadline day.
Why did Benzema move from Al Ittihad to Al Hilal?
The former Ballon d’Or winner’s move is seen as an ambitious one, as Al Hilal are the most successful club in Saudi football and are currently leaders of the league.
Despite winning the SPL with Al Ittihad last year, the 38-year-old wanted to join a club that has won 21 league titles and four Asian Championships.
Managed by two-time Champions League finalist Simone Inzaghi, they beat Manchester City 4-3 at last year’s FIFA Club World Cup, defeating Josep Guardiola’s side.
Benzema’s arrival was announced with great fanfare on social media by the record-breaking Saudi champions.
Why did Ronaldo miss Monday’s Al Nasr match?
Ronaldo was absent from Al Nasr’s SPL match against Al Riyadh amid reports that he is unhappy with the club’s transfer situation.
Ronaldo has scored 17 goals for the club this season.
Portuguese outlet A Bola reported that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is unhappy with Al Nasr’s lack of reinforcement in their quest for the league title.
The Portuguese superstar forward has decided to quit Jorge Jesus’ team after Al Nasr, who are second in the SPL table, did not make any significant additions by the end of the transfer window.
Heading into the match, Al Nasr were second behind Al Hilal, who are also backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and are rumored to have links with Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema.
How does Benzema’s transfer relate to Ronaldo?
Benzema’s move from the defending SPL champions to the most successful club is seen as a major threat to Ronaldo’s hopes of becoming league champions, despite a wave of top footballers, including Benzema, being encouraged to move to the Saudi league.
Ronaldo, who turns 41 on Thursday, has scored 91 goals in 95 league games for Al Nasr since arriving in the Saudi capital Riyadh in January 2023.
SPL leaders Al Hilal are one point ahead of Ronaldo’s Al Nasr.
The former Real Madrid striker and teammate of Ronaldo at the Spanish giants led Al Ittihad to the title and the Copa del Rey last year.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo is looking for his first league title since moving to Saudi Arabia in 2022 and has seen his main rival strengthen with the arrival of five-time Champions League winner Benzema.
What does Al Nasr say about Ronaldo and is there a chance he will leave the club?
According to Saudi media, Al Nasr CEO Jose Semedo declined to comment.
According to ESPN, Ronaldo is not injured, ill or not in love with 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.
Could Al Nasr sign more players to appease Ronaldo?
Saudi football’s transfer window closed on Monday night, ending any hopes of another transfer activity until the end of this season.
