Ronaldo sat out the last two league games—wins over Al Ittihad (2-0 at home) and Al Riyadh. He made himself unavailable, reportedly frustrated with how the club (and the bigger Saudi Public Investment Fund backing it) handled the January transfer window. No major signings came in, especially compared to rivals like Al Hilal who grabbed big names in the past. Ronaldo felt the club needed more firepower around him to challenge seriously for the title, and he wasn't shy about letting his feelings show.
But things moved fast. Sources close to the situation say assurances came from the board—likely around future support, wage issues for staff that got settled, and maybe promises on squad investment. Ronaldo didn't get everything he wanted overnight, but enough to step back from the brink. He's already back in training, though he won't feature in the midweek Asian Champions League Two tie against Arkadag in Turkmenistan. That one's too soon after the drama.
The return date? Saturday's trip to Al Fateh. Al Nassr sit just a point behind leaders Al Hilal right now, and these next few weeks are massive in the title race. Coach Jorge Jesus will be relieved to have his star striker available again—Ronaldo's goals (he's still banging them in at an insane rate) remain the difference-maker, even at 41.
Fans have been split over the whole thing. Some say the team actually looked sharper without him in those two wins, moving the ball quicker and sharing the load. Others point out the obvious: when Ronaldo plays, the stadium fills, the global eyes turn, and the team carries that extra edge. Without him, the league loses a bit of its sparkle—something even Toni Kroos touched on recently, defending the decision as a power move from a player who knows his worth.
For Al Nassr, this ends a tense chapter. Ronaldo's contract runs until 2027, but there's that reported £43m release clause floating around for the summer. Right now, though, the focus is on getting back to winning ways with the captain leading the line.
Expect fireworks when he steps onto the pitch again. Al Fateh won't make it easy—they're solid at home—but having CR7 back changes the dynamic instantly. Whether this patches things up long-term or just kicks the can down the road, we'll see. For now, Saudi football gets its biggest draw back where he belongs.
What do you think—smart move by Ronaldo to flex his influence, or unnecessary drama? Drop your thoughts below. Either way, Saturday just got a lot more interesting. 🔙🔜
