Senior Saudi football officials expect Cristiano Ronaldo to end his strike and return for Al Nassr’s crucial fixture against Al Ittihad on Friday, despite the forward’s ongoing concerns about the club’s financial backing and transfer activity. According to Skysports.com.
Ronaldo Strike Expected to End as Saudi Officials Hope for Friday Return
Saudi officials are now expecting Ronaldo to play against Al Ittihad on Friday, believing he has made his point about the club’s direction. His return has not been confirmed, but officials hope the significance of the fixture will be too big for him to miss, particularly given his contractual obligations.
The 40-year-old has been absent since expressing frustration over Al Nassr’s transfer activity compared to rival clubs. He was missing from Monday’s Saudi Pro League victory over Al Riyadh, with sources confirming his unhappiness about the club’s operations and financial support structure.
Ronaldo believes Al Nassr are not receiving equal financial backing compared to the three other clubs owned by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund PIF. He is particularly frustrated that Al Hilal signed Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad, while Al Nassr’s only January addition was young Iraqi midfielder Hayder Abdulkareem.
The Portuguese forward’s anger stems from Al Hilal’s one-point lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League table. He wanted more ambitious signings during the transfer window as he pursues his first Saudi title, despite earning a reported £500,000 a day at the club.
Saudi officials maintain that Benzema’s move to Al Hilal was funded by private billionaire investor Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, not by PIF or the league. They emphasise that nothing prevents Al Nassr from securing similar private investment, having already spent £100m this season under current financial regulations.
