Al Nassr Triumphs Without Ronaldo Amid Saudi Pro League Turmoil

All eyes were on Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh on February 6, 2026, as Al Nassr squared off against reigning champions Al Ittihad in a Saudi Pro League clash that was meant to showcase some of the league’s brightest stars. Yet, the night’s narrative was dramatically altered by the conspicuous absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Nassr’s talisman, who missed his second consecutive game in a high-profile protest against the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) management of the league’s top clubs.

Ronaldo, who has scored a staggering 91 goals in 95 league appearances for Al Nassr, was not sidelined by injury. Instead, his absence was a deliberate act—a message directed squarely at the PIF, which owns Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ahli, and Al Ittihad. The Portuguese superstar’s frustration boiled over after the January transfer window, during which Al Hilal, Al Nassr’s fiercest rivals, secured the blockbuster signing of Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad, while Al Nassr managed only a free transfer for Haider Abdulkarim. Sources close to the club revealed that Ronaldo’s discontent wasn’t with Al Nassr itself, but with what he perceives as unequal investment and favoritism by the PIF, especially towards Al Hilal.

"Ronaldo is not upset with Al-Nassr," transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano reported. "His issue is with how the PIF manages and prioritizes certain clubs." The sentiment was echoed throughout Saudi football circles, as speculation mounted about Ronaldo’s future and the league’s internal politics. Portuguese media backed this up, noting that Ronaldo’s protest was rooted in dissatisfaction with the PIF’s management, not with his teammates or coaching staff.

Despite returning to training ahead of the crucial fixture, Ronaldo was not named in the squad nor even on the bench. The confirmed Al Nassr attacking trio featured Sadio Mane, Kingsley Coman, and Joao Felix, as the team prepared to face Al Ittihad without their captain and leading scorer. The absence of both Ronaldo and Benzema—who had just completed his switch to Al Hilal—meant that two of the league’s most marketable stars were missing from the night’s lineup, a scenario that would have seemed unthinkable just weeks before.

Yet, if Ronaldo’s protest threatened to overshadow the football, Al Nassr’s supporters were determined to make their voices heard. During the match, the home crowd displayed unwavering loyalty to their absent icon. In the seventh minute—a nod to Ronaldo’s legendary shirt number—the stadium erupted in a coordinated chant, with yellow banners bearing his name and number seven held aloft throughout the stands. The message was unmistakable: for Al Nassr fans, Ronaldo remains the heartbeat of their club, regardless of boardroom battles or league politics.

Al Nassr’s management, too, stood by their captain, with Portuguese head coach Jorge Jesus reportedly boycotting press conferences in solidarity with Ronaldo. According to Al-Riyadiyah, "all attempts to secure Cristiano Ronaldo’s participation against Al-Ittihad have failed," underscoring the depth of the standoff. The internal unity was clear, even as the external pressures mounted.

On the pitch, the match itself was a tense, tactical affair. The first half ended goalless, with Al Nassr edging possession (56% to Al Ittihad’s 44%) and outshooting their opponents seven to four. Both sides probed for openings, but nerves and defensive discipline kept the scoreline blank at the break. The absence of Ronaldo and Benzema was keenly felt, with neither side able to find a breakthrough in the opening 45 minutes.

The deadlock was finally broken late in the second half. Sadio Mane, the former Liverpool forward, stepped up to convert a penalty, sending the home crowd into raptures. As Al Ittihad pushed forward in search of an equalizer, Al Nassr struck again—this time through Angelo Gabriel, whose late goal sealed a vital 2-0 victory for the hosts. The result kept Al Nassr firmly in the title race, moving them to second in the league, just one point behind leaders Al Hilal after 20 matches.

Despite the on-field success, the post-match conversation was dominated by Ronaldo’s ongoing boycott and its implications for the future. The Saudi Pro League issued a statement to BBC Sport, acknowledging Ronaldo’s pivotal role in the club’s growth and ambition, but insisted that "no individual—however significant—determines decisions beyond their own club." The league’s leadership, it seemed, was keen to reassert control amid growing tensions.

Ronaldo’s protest has already sent shockwaves through the Saudi football establishment. The PIF, which has invested heavily in building the league’s global profile, now faces the prospect of its marquee signing walking away. According to sources, if the current situation remains unresolved, Ronaldo could activate a summer release clause and leave Al Nassr as early as June 2026. Rumors have even begun to swirl of a possible emotional return to Sporting CP, the club where Ronaldo began his professional career nearly 25 years ago. While the Portuguese legend previously declared his European adventure over, the ongoing standoff has left his future wide open.

Karim Benzema’s move to Al Hilal has only heightened the drama. The French striker made an immediate impact, scoring a hat-trick on his debut in a 6-0 rout of Al-Okhdood. The contrast between Al Hilal’s lavish spending and Al Nassr’s relative inactivity in the transfer market has become a flashpoint, fueling Ronaldo’s frustrations and adding another layer to the rivalry between the two clubs.

For now, Al Nassr’s focus remains on the pitch, where they continue to chase the title despite the off-field distractions. The club has won 10 Saudi Pro League titles in its history, but since Ronaldo’s arrival in December 2022—on a record salary and a new two-year contract signed in June 2025—they have only managed to lift the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023. The hunger for league glory is palpable, and the squad’s resilience in Ronaldo’s absence will be tested in the weeks to come.

As the dust settles on a dramatic night in Riyadh, one thing is clear: the story of Al Nassr, Cristiano Ronaldo, and the Saudi Pro League is far from over. The club’s victory over Al Ittihad keeps their title hopes alive, but the real battle may be taking place off the field, where the future of one of football’s greatest icons hangs in the balance. The world will be watching closely to see what happens next.