Cristiano Ronaldo could skip Al-Nassr Riyadh derby amid transfer frustration

Cristiano Ronaldo could refuse to play for Al-Nassr in their next Saudi Pro League fixture, reports in his native Portugal say, with the 40-year-old considering ruling himself out of a derby against Al-Riyadh due on Monday. Earlier claims suggested Ronaldo might be left out as part of workload management, but Portuguese outlet A Bola has refuted those reports and said any absence would “not related to any physical management of the Portuguese forward.” Al-Nassr are also due to face defending champions Al-Ittihad on Friday, a match the club will want their No.7 available for.

A Bola says Ronaldo is unhappy with the way the Public Investment Fund (PIF) is managing Al-Nassr compared with rival clubs overseen by the same fund, and is disappointed by a perceived lack of investment. Manager Jorge Jesus has not been given the funds he sought in the winter window, with 21-year-old Haydeer Abdulkareem from Iraq the club’s only incoming signing so far.

The report adds that two of Ronaldo’s compatriots at the club — sporting director Simao Coutinho and CEO Jose Semedo — had their powers “frozen at the beginning of the month” by the board. Separate reports in Turkey say Ronaldo is opposing a proposed move for Karim Benzema to Al-Hilal on the grounds it would harm fair competition, though those transfer talks are said to be ongoing.

It remains unclear whether Ronaldo will actually rule himself out of the derby.

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