Cristiano Ronaldo omitted from Al-Nassr squad for Al-Ittihad clash

Cristiano Ronaldo has been left out of Al-Nassr's squad for Friday's clash with Al-Ittihad, the club confirmed when posting their lineup. While the five-time Ballon d'Or winner will not feature, Marcelo Brozovic, Kingsley Coman, Sadio Mané and João Félix all start, leaving Al-Nassr with plenty of attacking options.

His relationship with the Saudi Pro League appears damaged after he threatened to quit following the Public Investment Fund's role in Karim Benzema's move from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal, a direct rival in the title race. Ronaldo was also absent from the squad that faced Al-Riyadh earlier this week, though Al-Nassr still won thanks to Mané's 40th-minute strike.

The Saudi Pro League responded by stressing that clubs operate independently under the same rules and that recent transfer activity reflects club decisions within approved financial parameters, adding that the focus should remain on football.

Saudi Arabia