It seems Cristiano Ronaldo will miss another Saudi Pro League game as he reportedly continues his protest over the management of the clubs under Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
The Al Nassr skipper had already not featured in the Riyadh derby against Al Riyadh, and according to rumors, he may not come on the pitch either during the match against Al Ittihad on Friday, which is the 21st round of the league campaign. The boycott has been maintained as a result of his disappointment in the governance of the PIF clubs in general and specifically the high-profile transfer of Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad to the title rivals Al Hilal.
Ronaldo thinks this transfer hurts the team’s effort for the league title, with Al Hilal presently being the league leaders. The way he is holding his ground has led to more guesses about his future in Saudi Arabia, with some even saying that he might go if no changes happen before the summer season.
At 41 years of age, the forward still holds lots of influence at Al Nassr both in the game and outside, which makes his absence all the more glaring, especially as the team is still in a heated title race.
As of now, the length of Ronaldo’s protest and the club’s reaction have not been disclosed. Al Nassr will be looking forward to some kind of indication in the near future as they gear up for tests that will be instrumental in their title pursuits.
