Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo snubs Al-Nassr match amid financial dispute
Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly refused to play ahead of Al-Nassr’s Saudi Pro League match against rivals Al-Riyadh on Monday.
The 40-year-old star, who earns £488,000 every day, is said to be unhappy with how Al-Nassr’s finances are managed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Portuguese news outlet A Bola reported that a source revealed Ronaldo feels frustrated by the PIF’s handling of Al-Nassr compared to other Saudi clubs.
The fund owns 75% of four Saudi Pro League teams—Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli—and has played a major role in attracting top international players to the league.
Since Ronaldo’s 2023 move to Riyadh, stars like Karim Benzema, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Riyad Mahrez joined other Saudi clubs on lucrative deals. Ronaldo believes Al-Nassr has not received the same support in the transfer market.
During the January window, Al-Nassr signed only 21-year-old Iraqi midfielder Haydeer Abdulkareem, while Al-Hilal added Spanish centre-back Pablo Mari for £1.7m, Rennes forward Kader Meite for £26m, and are finalizing another £26m deal for Neom star Saimon Bouabre.
Al-Nassr manager Jorge Jesus has criticized the financial disparity, saying the club “does not have the political power of Al-Hilal.” His comments led Al-Hilal to seek a suspension of six months to a year for Jesus.
In December, Ronaldo hinted at a return to Europe, reiterating his goal of reaching 1,000 career goals.
Speaking in Dubai, he said, “My passion is high and I want to continue. It doesn’t matter where I play, whether in the Middle East or Europe.”
“I always enjoy playing football and I want to keep going. I will reach the number (1000 goals) for sure, if no injuries.”
Follow Us on Google Discover
Tension as traditional ruler collapses, dies in Ondo
2027: Kwankwaso a goat in sheep’s clothing, secretly working for Tinubu – Atiku Campaign Council
DSS arrests Maina’s fugitive son in Abuja, hands him over to EFCC
2027: Step down if you are not working for Tinubu – Deji Adeyanju dares Obi, Kwankwaso
2027: ‘I wont join my Uncle to support Tinubu’ – Davido says
Enugu NYSC death: NAFDAC debunks claims linking corps members death to fake drugs
33 Governors cannot be wrong in supporting Tinubu – Bayo Onanuga
Security forces arrest five suspects over abduction of 20 NYSC members in Imo
Rugby star Hyron Andrews dies at 31 after accidental fall in South Africa
LAUTECH Resident Doctors halt 50-day strike as Makinde intervenes
House Officers, Nurses, Radiographers, Others wanted as DELSUTH opens recruitment – Apply Now
FG raises health fund allocation to N40.76bn, extends insurance to prison inmates
Erisco Foods announces 13 job openings across Nigeria – Apply Now
Tinubu reappoints Bala Bila as INEC commissioner, nominates six others
2027: ‘Don’t trust your destiny to ‘kalokalo’ people’ – Wike warns Rivers voters against Atiku, Amaechi, Obi
Erisco Foods announces 13 job openings across Nigeria – Apply Now
‘You Betrayed Osun People’ — Adeleke, Davido face backlash over support for Tinubu
Ex-Senator Bello Mandiya’s body found in Abuja home three days after he slipped, hit his head in the bathroom
Tinubu reappoints Bala Bila as INEC commissioner, nominates six others
‘I love Islam, I’ve sent people to Mecca to pray for me, Nigeria for 25 years’ – Akpabio
JUST IN: Finnish Appeal Court reduces Simon Ekpa’s jail term to four years, upholds terrorism conviction
House Officers, Nurses, Radiographers, Others wanted as DELSUTH opens recruitment – Apply Now
Over 10 soldiers, four civilians feared dead as Boko Haram terrorists attack Borno military base
Zamfara govt set to empower 36,176 residents with Dangote shares
Umahi reopens first Niger bridge after emergency repairs, displays Tinubu’s photos
Panic in Rivers community as pipeline explosion injures 20, razes over 50 houses
Elon Musk unveils Tesla’s ‘flying’ car in stunning demonstration
‘Local champion’ – Donald Duke takes fresh swipe at Gov Diri over Lagos-Calabar coastal highway
Tension mounts as NLC rejects FG’s response to 14-day ultimatum
