Cristiano Ronaldo was absent from Al Nassr’s 1-0 victory over Arkadag FC in the first leg of the AFC Champions League Two round of 16 on Monday, a conspicuous exclusion attributed to ongoing discontent over the club’s transfer policy.
The 41-year-old Portugal captain has now missed three consecutive matches for Al Nassr, including two Saudi Pro League fixtures against Al Riyadh and Al Ittihad, as his frustration mounts. Supporters at Al-Awwal Park on Friday demonstrated their support for Ronaldo, displaying yellow signs bearing his name and jersey number seven during the seventh minute of the match against Al Ittihad.
Despite his absence from the lineup in Turkmenistan, Al Nassr’s official social media channels posted images on Wednesday showing Ronaldo participating in training sessions with his teammates in Riyadh, signaling a potential return to domestic action.
Sources indicate that Ronaldo’s dissatisfaction stems from the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) perceived lack of investment in strengthening the Al Nassr squad during the recent January transfer window. This contrasts with the actions of Al Hilal, another club majority-owned by the PIF, who secured the signing of Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad, a former Real Madrid teammate of Ronaldo.
The Saudi Pro League has acknowledged the situation, issuing a statement that “no individual – however significant – determines decisions beyond their own club,” a message widely interpreted as a direct response to Ronaldo’s actions.
Al Nassr secured their win against Arkadag FC through a single goal from Abdullah Al-Hamdan in the 19th minute, establishing a narrow advantage heading into the second leg of the tie, which will be played in Riyadh. Angelo came close to extending the lead, but his attempt went just wide of the goal. Al Hamdan and Abdulrahman Abdullah Ghareeb too had opportunities to score, but were unsuccessful.
Ronaldo is expected to be available for selection in Al Nassr’s upcoming Saudi Pro League match against Al Fateh on Saturday, February 14, according to sources. The outcome of his dispute with the PIF and its impact on the club’s future transfer strategy remain unresolved.