Al-Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘strike’ has attracted a stern reaction from the Saudi Pro League, who announced that every club functions independently and adopts their transfer strategy accordingly.
Ronaldo hasn’t played for the Knights of Najd since Karim Benzema moved to leaders Al-Hilal on transfer deadline day, protesting that his own club haven’t been as actively backed by the PIF, which owns both clubs as well as Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli.
Thanks for the submission!
Having sat out the 1-0 win at Al-Riyadh on Monday, Ronaldo will likely remain unavailable for the home game with Al-Ittihad on Friday (February 6), which hasn’t gone done well with the league.
“The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules,” a league spokesperson said (as per Indian Express).
“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 framework applies equally across the league.”
Highlighting Ronaldo’s role since his arrival in the Saudi League three years ago, the league spokesperson continued:
“Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al-Nassr since his arrival and has played an important role in the club’s growth and ambition. Like any elite competitor, he wants to win. But no individual – however significant – determines decisions beyond their own club.
“Recent transfer activity demonstrates that independence clearly. One club strengthened in a particular way. Another chose a different approach. Those were club decisions, taken within approved financial parameters.”
Having turned 41 on Thursday, Ronaldo has scored 117 times for the Knights, including 18 this season.
How did Cristiano Ronaldo fare in his last Al-Nassr outing?
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to go strong despite turning 41 earlier this week, scoring 17 times in the Saudi Pro League, which is one short of league top-scorer Ivan Toney of Al-Ahli.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner had a goalscoring outing in his most recent game for the Knights of Najd. Ronaldo scored in the 3-0 Saudi Pro League win at Al-Kholood last month.
Following a goalless first half, the former Real Madrid man opened the scoring two minutes into the second period before Mohamed Simakan and Kingsley Coman also got on the scoresheet.
Edited by Bhargav
