Ronaldo Protest Rocks Al Nassr As Fans Rally In Saudi Showdown

All eyes were on Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh as Al Nassr faced off against reigning champions Al Ittihad in a high-stakes Saudi Pro League clash on February 6, 2026. Yet, the spotlight didn’t land where fans expected. Instead of Cristiano Ronaldo dazzling on the pitch, his absence—now extending to a second consecutive match—became the story of the night, with ripple effects far beyond the ninety minutes.

Ronaldo’s decision to sit out both the 1-0 win over Al Riyadh and this crucial 2-0 victory against Al Ittihad wasn’t due to injury or tactical rotation. The Portuguese superstar, who has scored a jaw-dropping 91 goals in 95 league appearances since joining Al Nassr in December 2022, is making headlines for a protest that’s rocking the Saudi football establishment. His frustration, sources confirm, centers on what he sees as the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) unequal management and investment in the clubs it owns—namely, Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ahli, and Al Ittihad.

“Ronaldo is not upset with Al Nassr,” reported renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano. “His issue is with how the PIF manages and prioritizes certain clubs.” The tipping point? The blockbuster transfer of Karim Benzema—Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid teammate—from Al Ittihad to Al Hilal, Al Nassr’s fiercest rivals and current league leaders. While Al Hilal splashed out for marquee signings, Al Nassr’s only addition during the January window was Haider Abdulkarim on a free transfer. For Ronaldo, this disparity was too much to ignore.

The impact of his protest was felt palpably in the stadium. Al Nassr fans made their loyalty clear, unfurling banners bearing Ronaldo’s name and iconic number seven during the seventh minute, their chants echoing around the arena. It was a show of solidarity that left little doubt: for supporters, Ronaldo remains the heart and soul of their club project, even as tensions simmer behind the scenes. The club’s faithful have not wavered, despite the controversy swirling in the upper echelons of Saudi football.

On the pitch, Al Nassr had to adapt. With Ronaldo out, head coach Jorge Jesus turned to an attacking trio of Sadio Mane, Kingsley Coman, and Joao Felix. The absence of both Ronaldo and Benzema (who was making his debut for Al Hilal) gave the fixture an unusual feel, but the stakes remained sky-high. Al Nassr, sitting third in the table with 46 points, were desperate to keep pace with Al Hilal, who led by a single point after 20 matches.

The first half saw Al Nassr control possession, edging out Al Ittihad 56% to 44%, and creating seven shots to the visitors’ four. Yet, the deadlock persisted until late in the match. The breakthrough came via a Sadio Mane penalty, sending the home crowd into raptures. As the final whistle approached, Angelo Gabriel added a second goal, sealing a 2-0 win for Al Nassr and ensuring that, even without their talisman, the title race remained alive and kicking.

But the story didn’t end with the final score. Off the field, speculation about Ronaldo’s future grew louder. His self-imposed strike has thrown the PIF’s strategy into question, especially as the Saudi Pro League’s international profile is so closely tied to his global brand. League officials, for their part, have maintained a firm stance. A spokesperson told BBC Sport, “No individual—however significant—determines decisions beyond their own club.” Yet, there’s no denying that Ronaldo’s absence impacts viewership, sponsorship, and the league’s ambitions to become a world football powerhouse.

Inside the Al Nassr dressing room, solidarity with Ronaldo has been strong. Portuguese head coach Jorge Jesus reportedly backed his captain, even going so far as to boycott press conferences in protest. According to Al-Riyadiyah, “all attempts to secure Cristiano Ronaldo’s participation against Al-Ittihad have failed.” The friction isn’t just about transfer policy; it also stems from internal restructuring that has reduced the influence of Ronaldo’s trusted circle within the club. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who signed a lucrative two-year extension last June, now finds himself at a crossroads.

Rumors swirled about Ronaldo’s next move. Some reports suggested he could activate a summer release clause and leave Al Nassr as early as June 2026 if the PIF doesn’t address his concerns. Others floated the possibility of a fairytale return to Sporting CP, his boyhood club in Portugal—a move that would send shockwaves across European football. For now, though, Ronaldo remains a player in limbo, his next steps watched by the world.

Meanwhile, Al Nassr’s victory over Al Ittihad keeps them firmly in the title hunt. The club, which boasts ten Saudi Pro League crowns, has only the Arab Club Champions Cup to show for Ronaldo’s tenure so far. With Al Hilal still in the driver’s seat, every point counts as the season enters its decisive phase. The absence of both Ronaldo and Benzema on the night may have shifted the narrative, but on the field, the intensity and quality remained undiminished.

For the Saudi Pro League, this saga is a stark reminder of the challenges—and opportunities—that come with superstar signings. Ronaldo’s arrival was heralded as “history in the making,” with his record £177 million annual salary underscoring the league’s ambitions. Yet, as this episode shows, managing egos and expectations at the highest level is no easy feat. The PIF’s next move will be watched closely, not just in Riyadh, but across the footballing world.

As Matchday 21 fades into the record books, Al Nassr’s supporters can savor a hard-fought win and the knowledge that their team’s destiny remains in their hands. But the question on everyone’s lips is simple: when—and under what circumstances—will Cristiano Ronaldo return to the pitch? Until then, the drama continues, both on and off the field, with the eyes of the football world fixed firmly on Saudi Arabia.