Ronaldo Al Nassr: Refusal & Controversy Explained

EThe controversy is open in Saudi Arabia. Al Nassr, led by Jorge Jesus, João Félix and Cristiano Ronaldo, has a game scheduled against neighbors Al-Riyadh for Monday afternoon, in a game counting for the most recent round of the Saudi championship.

So far everything is normal, in another game for the Riyadh club to try to threaten Al Hilal’s leadership. In the early afternoon of this Sunday, the press of this Middle Eastern country had made it known that Cristiano Ronaldo was going to be rested for physical reasons, in view of Friday’s duel against rival Al-Ittihah, who is coached by Sérgio Conceição, in a duel that promises to be of much greater difficulty for Jorge Jesus’ men.

But, it seems that the Al Nassr captain’s absence from this match has nothing to do with physical reasons. During Sunday night, Fabrizio Romano, an Italian journalist specializing in issues related to the transfer market, announced that Cristiano Ronaldo would, in fact, be absent from the match against Al-Riyadh, but not for physical reasons.

“Cristiano Ronaldo will not participate in tomorrow’s game between Al Nassr and Al Riyadh. His absence is not related to any physical problem, nor to his workload or fitness management,” wrote the Transalpine native.

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2026

This was also written about in Saudi Arabia. Turki Alajmah, a well-known personality in the world of Saudi sports, hinted that Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence from this match went far beyond physical problems.

Turki Al-Ajma: Al-Nasr management told Cristiano, “Al-Muhammad only has dinner.”@TurkiAlajmah#Kora_Rotana pic.twitter.com/keUHOqHX00

– Kora program (@korarotana) February 1, 2026

Apparently, and according to information released this evening by the Portuguese newspaper A Bola, Cristiano Ronaldo is indeed determined to miss Al Nassr’s next game. The forward, who is international for Portugal, will be strongly disgusted with the management carried out by the PIF (Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund).

The Portuguese striker, and Al Nassr team captain, will be unhappy with some of the decisions that have been taken by this Saudi organization, particularly with regard to the treatment that has been given to other rivals that are controlled by the PIF, such as Al Hilal owned by Portuguese Rúben Neves.

In his fourth season at Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, remember, is the second top scorer in the Saudi championship, with 17 goals. The Riyadh club occupies second place in the standings with 43 points, three less than leaders Al Hilal.