Ronaldo Sparks Saudi Transfer Standoff As Benzema Joins Al Hilal

The Saudi Pro League has found itself at the heart of a dramatic transfer saga, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence rippling far beyond the pitch. The Portuguese superstar, renowned for his competitive edge and leadership, has taken a central role in shaping the league’s transfer landscape, sparking a standoff that has left fans, clubs, and fellow players on edge as the winter window slams shut.

It all began with a proposed blockbuster move: Karim Benzema, the French striker and Ballon d’Or winner, was on the verge of swapping Al Ittihad for Al Hilal. The deal, valued at a minimum of 25 million euros by Al Ittihad, was expected to reshape the title race and further elevate the Saudi Pro League’s international profile. Yet, just as negotiations seemed to be reaching their climax, an unexpected obstacle emerged—Cristiano Ronaldo himself.

Ronaldo’s opposition to Benzema’s transfer was rooted in concerns over competitive balance. According to multiple sources, the Al Nassr captain feared that allowing Benzema to join Al Hilal would tilt the playing field. As reported by Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu, "Cristiano Ronaldo’s intervention in Karim Benzema’s Al Hilal transfer has caused N’Golo Kante to be unable to sign with Fenerbahce yet, while Youssef En-Nesyri has been unable to join Al Ittihad. The clubs have finalized the agreements and submitted them to the Saudi Pro League; official signatures are on hold pending approval."

This single act of resistance set off a chain reaction, stalling not only Benzema’s move but also a series of interconnected deals. Fenerbahce, eager to bolster their midfield, had pushed to sign N’Golo Kanté from Al Ittihad. Meanwhile, Al Ittihad, bracing for the possible departures of both Kanté and Benzema, targeted Fenerbahce’s Youssef En-Nesyri in a swap arrangement that would send Kanté back to Europe. The dominoes were lined up, but Ronaldo’s stance kept them from toppling.

The tension was palpable as the transfer window approached its close. Fabrizio Romano, a trusted voice in football transfers, reported that Benzema had already agreed to personal terms with Al Hilal, while Kanté had completed his medical tests for Fenerbahce. Yet, with Ronaldo’s opposition looming large, official approval from the Saudi Pro League remained elusive. The league’s administrators were caught in a bind, their decisions scrutinized by clubs and fans alike.

Ronaldo’s frustration with the league’s direction had been simmering for months. Sources close to Al Nassr revealed that the 40-year-old had grown increasingly disillusioned with the Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) management of his club. As reported by A Bola, Ronaldo was "unhappy with the way the PIF is managing the club he has represented for three years, especially compared to the treatment given to rival clubs, also managed by the same fund." The perception of preferential treatment toward Al Hilal, particularly in the push to sign Benzema, only deepened his dissatisfaction.

That frustration boiled over in early February, when Ronaldo made headlines by opting out of Al Nassr’s crucial league clash against Al Riyadh. The decision, widely interpreted as a protest against league authorities, sent shockwaves through the Saudi football community. Al Nassr confirmed that Ronaldo was not included in the squad or even on the bench, a conspicuous absence as the team chased league leaders Al Hilal. Victory would have drawn Al Nassr level on points, though they had played one game more than their rivals.

The absence of their talismanic forward left Al Nassr fans anxious, especially with a high-stakes fixture against Al Ittihad looming on the horizon. Coach Jorge Jesus, who had recently added promising youngster Haydeer Abdulkareem to the squad, acknowledged the club’s transfer constraints. "I spoke about the winter period. We don’t have any openings for foreign players, and the financial situation at Al-Nassr is not good and doesn’t allow it. I hope that one or two, maybe three players can join us," Jesus admitted, underscoring the mounting pressure on the club’s hierarchy.

Behind the scenes, the drama took another twist. Record CEO Pedro Sousa reported that the PIF had wanted Ronaldo to move to Al Hilal ahead of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in June, a proposal the Portuguese star flatly rejected. The idea of playing for another Saudi club, let alone a direct rival, was a non-starter for Ronaldo and further strained his relationship with the league’s power brokers.

As the transfer window slammed shut, the saga reached its denouement, but not without lasting repercussions. Despite Ronaldo’s best efforts to block the moves, Benzema was officially announced as an Al Hilal player, with RMC Sport confirming the completion of the deal. Kanté, meanwhile, finalized his transfer to Fenerbahce in a €5 million move, and En-Nesyri’s expected switch to Al Ittihad was reportedly on the verge of completion. The dominoes, it seemed, had finally fallen—just a little later than expected.

Yet the fallout from Ronaldo’s protest continues to reverberate. With Al Nassr set to face Al Ittihad on Friday, February 7, questions linger over the Portuguese star’s availability. Will he return to the fold, or will his standoff with league authorities drag on, casting a shadow over the remainder of the season? The answer could have far-reaching implications for Al Nassr’s title ambitions and the broader balance of power within Saudi football.

The episode has also sparked debate about the influence of star players in shaping league policy and club strategy. While Ronaldo’s competitive fire is beyond dispute, his willingness to leverage his stature in pursuit of what he views as fairness has divided opinion. Some see his intervention as a principled stand for parity, while others argue it risks undermining the league’s growth and stability.

Whatever the verdict, one thing is clear: Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence in Saudi Arabia continues to be a catalyst for drama, intrigue, and change. As the dust settles on a tumultuous transfer window, all eyes will be on the Portuguese icon and the next chapter in his storied career. The Saudi Pro League, for better or worse, will never be the same.

With the transfer window closed and the key moves finally completed, the league now braces for the next wave of action on the pitch—and the lingering uncertainty surrounding one of football’s greatest ever players.