For the first time this season, Cristiano Ronaldo is missing from the Saudi Pro League. Absent from the match sheet this Monday during Al-Nassr’s trip to Al-Riyadh, the Portuguese star has just interrupted a series of 19 consecutive starts in the Saudi Arabian championship. If the local press first highlighted a problem with physical management by his trainer Jorge Jesus, the problem is quite different according to the Portuguese media.
According to To Ballthe man with 961 career goals would be neither injured nor rested for the clash against Al-Ittihad scheduled for Friday February 6. This is a decision taken by “CR7” to protest against the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF), responsible for the management of the four largest local clubs: Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad, but also Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli.
Ronaldo wanted to lure Benzema to Al-Nassr
The five-time Ballon d’Or would indeed be particularly unhappy with the treatment reserved for his team on the transfer market. This winter, the Riyadh club has only seen the arrival of Haydeer Abdulkareem, a young midfielder from Iraq, while the competition is strengthening with millions, like the signing of Kader Meïté from Al-Hilal for €30 million.
But it was when he learned of the persistent rumors sending Karim Benzema to Al-Hilal that Ronaldo definitely came out of his control. Disappointed with the contract extension offer proposed by his team, the French striker would have reached an agreement with the current leader of the championship. Problem: this movement terribly frustrates the Portuguese, determined for many years to find his former partner from Real Madrid at Al-Nassr according to RMC Sport.
Still looking for his first league title since his arrival in Saudi Arabia at the start of 2023, the native of Madeira would be very upset to see his main competitor make such transfers, believing that his team does not benefit from equal treatment compared to Al-Hilal.
Kanté also on stand-by
Consequence of the standoff started by the 40-year-old striker: Benzema’s transfer is temporarily blocked, a few hours before the end of the winter transfer window, which will close at 10 p.m. in the Kingdom. The situation also has consequences for N’Golo Kanté, whose departure from Al-Ittihad to Fenerbahçe was on very good track on Sunday evening. In the opposite direction, Youssef En-Nesyri was to leave the Turkish club to join Saudi Arabia in exchange for the transfer of Kanté, but the striker will not come if Benzema does not leave, as initially planned.
While the PIF is actively seeking a solution to end the boycott of “CR7” and allow the various movements, Saudi Arabia is heading towards a totally chaotic end to the transfer window.
