Why has Cristiano Ronaldo gone on 'strike' at Al-Nassr?

Cristiano Ronaldo could be about to become a free agent after appearing to go on strike at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. 

The Portuguese legend was a notable absentee from the club's matchday squad on Monday as Sadio Mane netted a winner for Al-Nassr in their 1-0 win over Al Riyadh, and it is believed that it was down to a refusal to play from the player. 

Ronaldo, who reportedly earns £500,000 a day on his current contract in the Middle East, is said to be unhappy with the way the club is currently being run and is now seemingly 'on strike' from the Saudi side. 

Why is Ronaldo unhappy with Al-Nassr? 

According to reports, the 40-year-old star's grievance has been aimed at Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), and the way they are handling Al-Nassr's finances compared to other clubs in the league, who he believes are getting preferential treatment. 

The PIF controls a 75 per cent stake in four Saudi Pro League clubs, including Ronaldo's current club Al-Nassr, as well as Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal, which has allowed each of them to bring in some of football's biggest names on big-money contracts. 

However, he is said to be unhappy that manager Jorge Jesus has not been backed in the same way as the other clubs, with Al-Nassr only bringing in 21-year-old Iraqi midfielder Haydeer Abdulkareem.

While Al-Hilal have been much more active, spending £26m on Rennes forward Kader Meite, as well as recruiting Spanish defender Pablo Mari and finalising a deal to bring Karim Benzema from rivals Al-lttihad. 

Al-Nassr are currently second in the Saudi Pro League, after 19 games, just a point behind leaders Al-Hilal, and Ronaldo is disappointed his side hasn't been given the funds to bolster the squad in their title bid. 

Since joining the club in 2022, the forward has yet to add a Saudi Pro League title to his list of honours, with the only trophy he has so far won at the club being the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023. 

Could Ronaldo leave Al-Nassr? 

No indication has been made so far from Ronaldo on how long the strike may go on for, or whether he is now using the situation as a way of leaving the club. 

However, in December, he did hint at a possible return to Europe by suggesting he wanted to keep going at the 'top level' as he closes in on 1000 career goals. 

The footballing icon netted his 961st goal in Al-Nassr's 3-0 win over Al-Kholood last Friday, and is expected to skipper the Portugal national team at this summer's World Cup. 

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