O Al Hilal confirmed, on Monday night, the signing of Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad, just hours after Cristiano Ronaldo took the drastic decision not to participate in Al Nassr’s game against Al Riyadh (1-0) because he was on a collision course with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.
The 40-year-old Portuguese star understands that the FIP has given preference to Al Hilal, while Al Nassr has been harmed. In this sense, and in a clear protest, Cristiano Ronaldo refused to enter the field this Monday.
O The Al Nassr captain was already upset with the absence of reinforcements in this winter market, but he lost his patience when he learned that Al Hilal were about to ‘steal’ Al Ittihad’s goalscorerteam led by Sérgio Conceição.
Al Hilal did not disclose the value of the deal, but thenSaudi press points to an amount of around 25 million euroswith the experienced French striker signing a one and a half year contract. That is, Benzema remains linked to Al Hilal until June 2027.
Karim Benzema is officially Hilali ️ pic.twitter.com/7YX5STm2z9
— AlHilal Saudi Club (@Alhilal_EN) February 2, 2026
The reasons for CR7’s dissatisfaction
The ‘bomb’ surrounding CR7 exploded on Sunday night and has caused a lot of ink, both in Saudi Arabia and the rest of the world. This Monday, Fabrizio Romano, an Italian journalist and specialist in issues relating to the transfer market, pointed out the reasons for Ronaldo’s dissatisfaction.
“Cristiano didn’t play because he was injured or because of minute management. Cristiano is not happy with the Public Investment Fund, the group that manages some of the clubs in the Saudi League, because of the way it manages the market, prices and opportunities”, began by explaining Fabrizio Romano, continuing with more details.
“Cristiano is not happy at the moment. These are the reports coming from Portugal and the truth is that Cristiano was not on the bench for reasons that are not linked to the sporting situation. Therefore, there is no injury”, highlighted the Italian journalist.
Jorge Jesus could also be leaving
It now remains to be seen whether Cristiano Ronaldo will extend the adopted strike and whether he will be present in the important duel against Al Ittihad, scheduled for Friday.
However, also Jorge Jesus is far from satisfied and may have his days numbered at Al Nassr. The 71-year-old experienced coach did not have the reinforcements he wanted, unlike what happened when he was at Al Hilal, and admits leaving the club at the end of the season.
Al Nassr players did not appear in the quick interview area after the triumph against Al Riyadh, as did Jesus, who also did not attend the usual press conference.
The permanence of Jose Semedo e Simon Coutinho, a Portuguese duo that is integrated into the Al Nassr structure, will also be committed, with Cristiano Ronaldo being able to give rise to a Portuguese stampede in Saudi Arabia.
[Notícia atualizada às 21h26]
