Cristiano Ronaldo Standoff: Why Is Portugal Star Missing Another Al-Nassr Match?

Cristiano Ronaldo has been left out of Al-Nassr's squad for their clash with Al-Ittihad on Friday night. The Portuguese legend's relationship with the Saudi Pro League appears to be in ruins, with the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star reportedly threatening to quit and leave after the Public Investment Fund facilitated a transfer for Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal, the latter of whom are Al-Nassr's direct rivals for the league title this season.

Ronaldo has been left out of Al-Nassr's squad to face Al-Ittihad, with the Saudi club officially confirming his absence as they posted their lineup for the clash on Friday night. While the five-time Ballon d'Or winner won't feature, there are starts for the likes of Marcelo Brozovic, Kingsley Coman, Sadio Mane and Joao Felix, with Al-Nassr still boasting ample firepower in attack without their talisman.

The 41-year-old was also missing from the Al-Nassr squad that faced Al-Riyadh earlier this week, though they still managed to secure all three points thanks to Mane's strike in the 40th minute.

Ronaldo appears to feel that PIF has favoured other clubs in the Saudi Pro League title race. CR7 is yet to win the trophy himself since his move in 2023 and feels the decision to allow Benzema to swap Al-Ittihad for Al-Hilal shows a lack of support for him.

A statement from the Saudi Pro League read: "The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules.

"Clubs have their own boards, their own executives and their own football leadership. Decisions on recruitment, spending and strategy sit with those clubs, within a financial framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance. That