Cristiano Ronaldo: Al Nassr forward missing for Saudi Pro League club amid rumours he is unhappy with club's transfer activity
Cristiano Ronaldo was not named in Al Nassr's team to play Al Riyadh on Monday; the Portugal captain is said to be unhappy with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund's running of the club; He feels other PIF-owned clubs such as Al Hilal are getting preferential treatment
Monday 2 February 2026 18:57, UK
Cristiano Ronaldo appears to have gone on strike at Al Nassr.
Ronaldo was missing from his team's Saudi Pro League game win over Al Riyadh on Monday - and Sky Sports News have been told the star is unhappy about the running of the club.
Al Nassr are one of four Saudi Pro League clubs owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. Ronaldo believes the other three clubs - Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad - are getting preferential treatment, especially in the transfer market.
Al Hilal have enjoyed a fruitful window so far, completing a deal for former Arsenal defender Pablo Mari and have been strongly linked with a £26m move for Rennes' Kader Meite.
Al Hilal could also move for Karim Benzema, who currently plays for Al Ittihad, but that deal is hanging in the balance.
Benzema, who is reported to earn £1.6m a week, is out of contract this summer. He felt so insulted by Al Ittihad's contract extension proposal last week, he did not play for them against Al Najma on Sunday.
Should Ronaldo 'be on strike' on £500,000 a day?
Sky Sports News' chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol:
"Spare a thought for Cristiano Ronaldo, who earns around £500,000 a day. But he's so unhappy at the moment that he didn't play for his club Al Nassr on Monday.
"There wasn't anything wrong with his fitness, he wasn't rested, he wasn't in the squad at all. The reason he didn't play is he's unhappy with the way Al Nassr have been run.
"Ronaldo feels that the PIF have been putting more money into Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad than they have into his club Al Nassr.
"Bear in mind, Ronaldo has been in Saudi Arabia and scoring goals for fun - but Al Nassr have not won the title in that time. He thought - in this window - that the club would dig deep, bring in reinforcements and strengthen their squad. He feels that hasn't happened.
"And that's why he's effectively gone on strike."
Toney turns down Juventus to stay in Saudi Arabia
Ivan Toney, meanwhile, has turned down the chance to move to Juventus and two Premier League clubs in this window.
Toney is happy and settled at Al Ahli and believes he is fitter and sharper than ever.
He has scored 56 times in 72 games for Al Ahli and he wants to keep scoring to get into the England squad for the World Cup. He was called up to Thomas Tuchel's Three Lions squad for the June international camp.
Al Ahli signed him from Brentford for £40m 18 months ago.
