Cristiano Ronaldo ‘goes on strike and refuses to play’ for his Saudi club

Superstar footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly gone on strike ahead of Al-Nassr’s next game in Saudi Arabia.

The 40-year-old, who is on a contract worth £488,000 per day, is reportedly dissatisfied with the management of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

The Saudi Pro League giants are due to play local rivals Al-Riyadh on Monday, but may now be without their captain, who has scored 18 goals in 22 games across all competitions this season.

According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, a source at the club told the newspaper that Ronaldo is unhappy with the manner in which Saudi Arabia’s PIF is handling Al-Nassr’s finances, particularly in comparison to how they are treating rival clubs.

The PIF controls a 75 per cent stake in four Saudi Pro League clubs, Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, and Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr and has been the driving force behind the league’s ability to attract some of world football’s biggest names on lucrative contracts.

Shortly after Ronaldo’s blockbuster move to the Riyadh club in 2023, the likes of Karim Benzema, Kalidou Koulibaly and Riyad Mahrez moved to Saudi Arabia on huge deals, joining Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli respectively.

Since then, all four teams have continued to bolster their squads, although Ronaldo, who is still yet to win a domestic trophy with Al-Nassr, believes his team have not been treated equally in the transfer market.

He claims Al-Nassr manager Jorge Jesus has not received adequate reinforcements compared to Saudi Pro League rivals Al-Hilal, who have been very active in the transfer market.

During the January window, the only player signed by Al-Nassr is 21-year-old Iraqi midfielder Haydeer Abdulkareem, while Al-Hilal have lured Spanish centre back Pablo Mari for £1.7m and spent a further £26m on Rennes forward Kader Meite.

Simone Inzaghi’s side are also reportedly finalising another £26m move for Neom star Saimon Bouabre.