Ronaldo to return for Al Nassr after resolving club dispute

• Cristiano Ronaldo will return to action for Al Nassr after missing two Saudi Pro League matches.
• The forward sat out games amid dissatisfaction linked to governance and financial matters at the club.
• Al Nassr sit second in the league, one point behind Al Hilal.

Cristiano Ronaldo has decided to end his absence from Al Nassr matches and is set to return against Al Fateh on 14 February.

The Portugal captain did not feature in a 2-0 win over Al Ittihad on Friday or in last week’s victory against Al Riyadh. Sources said Ronaldo informed the club he will be available for the upcoming league fixture.

Al Nassr also face Arkadag on Wednesday in the Asian Champions League Two.

Ronaldo missed the two matches following dissatisfaction linked to the Public Investment Fund and its role in recent transfer activity. The fund holds a majority stake in Al Nassr and several rival clubs.

Al Hilal, also majority owned by the fund, signed Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad during the January window. Benzema previously played alongside Ronaldo at Real Madrid.

Sources said Ronaldo agreed to return after key issues were addressed. These included the settlement of overdue player salaries and the restoration of authority to senior club executives.

Sporting director Simão Coutinho and chief executive José Semedo, who had been suspended from their duties, have since resumed their roles.

Ronaldo has made 22 appearances for Al Nassr this season, scoring 18 goals and providing three assists.

Al Nassr are second in the Saudi Pro League, one point behind Al Hilal.

The league issued a statement last week addressing Ronaldo’s stance.

“The Saudi Pro League operates on a clear principle,” the statement said. “Each club functions independently under the same regulations. Recruitment, spending and strategy remain the responsibility of individual clubs within a shared financial framework.”

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Hailey

Hailey Russell is a football journalist and former Division 1 collegiate athlete in the United States, bringing a unique blend of elite playing experience and professional insight to her work. Currently competing at the professional level in Europe, Hailey combines first-hand knowledge of the modern game with sharp analysis across match reports, player development, and tactical breakdowns.

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