By Chalien Dantes

Cristiano Ronaldo’s time at Al-Nassr is suddenly under the microscope after he was left out of the squad for Monday’s Saudi Pro League clash with Al-Riyadh.

Reports suggest the 40-year-old is refusing to play, frustrated with how the club is managed under Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in 2022 after leaving Manchester United mid-season, becoming football’s highest-paid player at £177 million a year.
So far, his only trophy with the club has been the Arab Club Champions Cup, despite signing a new two-year contract in June 2025. Rumours had swirled that he might leave, with a loan to rivals Al-Hilal floated at the time.

Tensions appear to have grown after Al-Hilal chased Karim Benzema, which sources say is a key reason behind Ronaldo’s frustration. Cristiano Ronaldo has been unstoppable in front of goal since joining Al-Nassr, netting 14 times in the 2022-23 Saudi Pro League after arriving midseason. The Portugal captain has topped the league’s scoring charts in the last two campaigns with 35 and 25 goals, and after his latest strike against Al-Kholood, he sits on 961 career goals, just 39 shy of the magical 1,000 goal milestone.

But while the goals keep coming, silverware has been elusive. Al-Nassr finished second in Ronaldo’s first two seasons, slipped to third last campaign, and lost the 2023-24 King’s Cup final to Al-Hilal on penalties. 
Their Asian Champions League run ended in the semifinals against Kawasaki Frontale, leaving them in the second-tier competition this season. Meanwhile, domestic rivals Al-Ahli lifted the Asian Champions League last year, featuring stars like Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, and Ivan Toney.

Despite being named Best Middle East Player at the Globe Soccer Awards, Ronaldo’s only trophy with the club remains the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup.

Watching former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema and Portugal colleague Ruben Neves win league titles in Saudi Arabia has only added to his frustration as he hunts both trophies and the milestone goals he’s dreamed of.