According to the source, Ronaldo will not take the field in the match against Al-Riyadh on February 2. His decision is not due to rotation or preparation for the important match against Al-Ittihad, which will take place on February 6. According to information close to the club, the reason lies in his deep dissatisfaction with the management of Al-Nassr by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Ronaldo, being an important figure in the Saudi football project, believes that Al-Nassr is at a disadvantage compared to other clubs also managed by PIF. He expresses dissatisfaction with insufficient investments and the lack of an ambitious sports policy. This discontent has intensified after modest transfers in the winter window, when the team was only reinforced by 21-year-old Iraqi midfielder Haider Abdulkarim, which does not meet the demands of head coach Jorge Jesus for strengthening problematic positions.
There is also a tense atmosphere within the club. Despite the presence of Portuguese specialists in key positions, such as Simao Coutinho (sports director) and Jose Semedo (general director), their powers were limited by a decision of the board of directors at the beginning of the month, which, according to Ronaldo, weakens the team.
The comparison with Al-Hilal, also under PIF control, only intensifies Ronaldo's sense of injustice. Al-Hilal is actively pursuing a transfer policy, signing players such as Spanish defender Pablo Mari and French forward Kader Meite for 30 million euros. Earlier, Jorge Jesus, the head coach of Al-Nassr, noted that their club does not have the same political power as Al-Hilal, which caused a significant resonance in the world of Saudi football.
The match against Al-Riyadh is scheduled for February 2. This season, Al-Nassr is in second place in the table, trailing the leader, Al-Hilal, by three points.
