Cristiano Ronaldo has been left out of Al Nassr’s travelling party for a third successive fixture.
The Portuguese star was absent from the squad facing Arkadag in the AFC Champions League Two last-16 first leg in Turkmenistan.
Despite his continued exclusion from matchday duties, the veteran forward appeared in training footage shared by the Saudi club on Wednesday morning, working alongside teammates at their Riyadh base.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner sat out consecutive Saudi Pro League fixtures, declining to participate in matches against Al Riyadh and Al Ittihad.
Speculation has begun to grow around tensions between the five-time Ballon d’Or winner and the club hierarchy.
The Portugal captain is understood to be dissatisfied with the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s reluctance to bolster the squad during the winter transfer window.
Adding to his frustration, PIF-backed rivals Al Hilal secured the signature of Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad during the same period.
The French striker previously played alongside Ronaldo at Real Madrid.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been left out of Al Nassr’s travelling party for a third successive fixture
|
REUTERS
The sovereign wealth fund holds a 75 per cent majority stake in Al Hilal, creating an awkward dynamic given their apparent willingness to invest in that club while Al Nassr’s requests went unmet.
Ronaldo’s reported grievances centre on what he perceives as unequal treatment within the PIF’s football portfolio.
Whilst Al Nassr’s sole January acquisition was a youth player named Haydeer Abdulkareem, their championship rivals Al Hilal embarked on a substantial spending spree.
The league leaders secured the services of former Arsenal defender Pablo Mari from Fiorentina, alongside Kader Meite and Saimon Bouabre in deals reportedly worth £26 million apiece.
Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly weighing up a departure from Al-Nassr when the summer transfer window opens | GETTYSupporters demonstrated their backing for the absent star during Friday’s home fixture at Al-Awwal Park, holding aloft yellow placards bearing his name and the number seven during the seventh minute of play.
The Saudi Pro League has responded to the ongoing situation with a pointed statement.
They said that “no individual however significant determines decisions beyond their own club”.
The warning appears directed at Ronaldo’s apparent attempt to influence investment decisions at the highest levels of Saudi football.
Al Nassr return to domestic action this weekend when they travel to face Al Fateh on Saturday
|
GETTYThe former Manchester United and Real Madrid star was reportedly incensed upon discovering that staff members had been delayed in receiving their salaries.
Al Nassr return to domestic action this weekend.
They travel to face Al Fateh on Saturday.
It remains unclear whether their marquee signing will feature.
