Ronaldo sits out Al Nassr win amid PIF tension

• Cristiano Ronaldo was left out of Al Nassr’s squad for the 1 to 0 win over Al Riyadh, despite not being injured.
• Sources said he stayed out in protest at the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund’s limited transfer activity at Al Nassr compared with other PIF-controlled clubs.
• Al Nassr won via a Sadio Mane goal and moved within one point of leaders Al Hilal.

Cristiano Ronaldo did not feature for Al Nassr in Monday’s 1-0 Saudi Pro League win over Al Riyadh, with sources saying the decision was a protest linked to dissatisfaction with the club’s transfer business.

Ronaldo was not injured and was not out of favour with manager Jorge Jesus. Instead, sources said he made himself unavailable because he was unhappy with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund’s lack of transfer activity at Al Nassr, especially when compared with other clubs owned by the fund.

Al Nassr still took three points thanks to the game’s only goal from former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane, a result that moved them to within one point of leaders Al Hilal in the standings.

Ronaldo, 40, has scored 91 goals in 95 Saudi Pro League matches since joining the Riyadh club in 2023. Sources said he is frustrated that Al Nassr have not added significant reinforcements as they push for the title.

Al Nassr’s only January addition is Iraq under-23 midfielder Haydeer Abdulkareem, who is still waiting to make his debut.

The contrast, sources said, is Al Hilal’s activity. They have made multiple moves, including the reported signing of France forward Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad. They have also brought in 18-year-old forward Mohamed Meïté from Stade Rennais, former Arsenal defender Pablo Marí from Fiorentina, and Saudi internationals Murad Al Hawsawi and Sultan Mandash from Al Khaleej and Al Taawoun.

Jorge Jesus has previously spoken about the constraints Al Nassr face in the window, saying: “I spoke about the winter period.

“We don’t have any openings for foreign players, and the financial situation at Al-Nassr is not good and doesn’t allow it, I hope that one or two, maybe three players can join us.”

Ronaldo turns 41 on Thursday. He signed a new contract in June that will keep him at Al Nassr until at least June 2027.