Ronaldo on strike at Al Nassr: Cristiano is angry with the Saudi League? Shocking! 2026

The Ronaldo on strike at Al Nassr situation has become the biggest off-field story in the Saudi Pro League in early 2026. Cristiano Ronaldo — the club’s highest-paid player and global icon — was completely absent from Al Nassr’s squad and bench for their 1-0 league win over Al Riyadh on Monday, January 19, 2026. Sadio Mané scored the only goal, but all eyes were on the empty Ronaldo-shaped hole in the team photo.

Multiple Portuguese and Saudi sources (led by A Bola and Al Riyadhiah) confirm: the 40-year-old is currently refusing to play or travel with the first team in protest against what he perceives as deliberate under-investment by the club’s ultimate owner — the Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Ronaldo on Strike at Al Nassr 2026: Why the Superstar Refused to Play & the Transfer Window Fury Explained

According to well-placed reports, Ronaldo’s principal grievance is simple and explosive:

Al Nassr were not allowed to sign any significant players during the January 2026 transfer window, while direct title rival Al Hilal received green light for multiple high-profile reinforcements.

Al Hilal’s busy January vs Al Nassr’s frozen window

• Al Hilal completed the permanent transfer of Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad (after Benzema’s salary dispute)
• Signed Italian centre-back Pablo Marí from Fiorentina for ≈ €2 million
• Reportedly close to a €30 million deal for 18-year-old Rennes striker Kader Meïté
• Also linked with French U21 international Saimon Bouabré from NEOM SC

Al Nassr, meanwhile, made only one low-profile addition: 21-year-old Iraqi midfielder Hayder Abdulkareem.

Even more telling: the club’s sporting director Simão Coutinho and CEO José Semedo reportedly had their transfer authority “frozen” by the board during the window — a decision Ronaldo believes was made to protect Al Hilal’s title chances.

Al Nassr currently sit second on 47 points from 19 games — just one point behind Al Hilal after 19 matchdays.

Ronaldo’s reaction: training alone & refusing to travel

Since the window closed, Ronaldo has been training separately from the first-team group. He did not travel for the Al Riyadh match and is not expected to be available for the next league fixture unless the situation changes dramatically.

Portuguese outlet A Bola quoted sources close to the player:

“Ronaldo feels betrayed. He came to Saudi Arabia to win titles and break records, not to watch his biggest rival strengthen while his own club stands still.”

Ronaldo earns over $230 million per year (base salary + commercial bonuses) — making him the highest-paid footballer on the planet — yet he has still not won the Saudi Pro League title since arriving in January 2023.

Why this is bigger than a normal transfer dispute

The Ronaldo on strike at Al Nassr situation is unprecedented for several reasons:

1. PIF ownership conflict of interest The same sovereign wealth fund (PIF) owns 75% of Al Nassr and 100% of Al Hilal. Many observers believe the transfer freeze on Al Nassr was designed to give Al Hilal the best chance of winning the league — a theory Ronaldo apparently shares.
2. First public protest of Ronaldo’s Al Nassr era Despite frequent media scrutiny, Ronaldo had never before refused to play or train with the team. This is the strongest signal yet that he is deeply unhappy.
3. Timing — right before the Club World Cup & spring run-in Al Nassr are still in the title race, in the King’s Cup semi-finals, and preparing for the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in June 2025. Losing their talisman for any extended period would be catastrophic.

What happens next?

Three realistic scenarios for the Ronaldo on strike at Al Nassr saga:

1. Quiet resolution PIF / Al Nassr board make a late U-turn, allow one or two more signings in the summer window or give Ronaldo private assurances → he returns to training.
2. Escalation & contract termination If Ronaldo digs in and refuses to play for the rest of the season, both sides could mutually agree to terminate his deal (he has two years left). He would then become a free agent in summer 2026 — opening the door to a return to Europe, MLS reunion with Messi, or retirement.
3. Prolonged stand-off Ronaldo continues to train alone, appears only when contractually forced, and damages team morale. Least likely long-term outcome.

Conclusion — the biggest crisis of Ronaldo’s Al Nassr era

The Ronaldo on strike at Al Nassr episode is the most serious internal conflict the club has faced since the superstar arrived in January 2023. At stake are:

• Al Nassr’s realistic chance of winning the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League title
• Ronaldo’s pursuit of a first league title in Saudi Arabia
• The long-term credibility of the Saudi Pro League project
• Ronaldo’s legacy image in the final years of his career

Whether this ends in reconciliation, separation or prolonged cold war will be one of the defining transfer stories of 2026.

What do you think — should Ronaldo stay and fight, or cut his losses and leave? Drop your opinion below.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s entire career has been a war against “The System.”

He could have played the FIFA/Ballon d’Or politics like Messi to be their “perfect boy.” Instead, he let his numbers do the talking and publicly called out the lack of credibility when narratives replaced… pic.twitter.com/H2DDouNLl5

— TCR. (@TeamCRonaldo) February 1, 2026

FAQs — Ronaldo on strike at Al Nassr

1. Why is Ronaldo refusing to play? He believes the Public Investment Fund (PIF) is deliberately limiting Al Nassr’s January transfer activity to help title rival Al Hilal.

2. Has Ronaldo been fined or disciplined yet? No public sanction has been announced (as of January 20, 2026). He continues to receive full salary.

3. Which players did Al Hilal sign in January? Karim Benzema (permanent from Al Ittihad), Pablo Marí (€2m from Fiorentina), reportedly close on Kader Meïté (€30m) and Saimon Bouabré.

4. What has Al Nassr signed? Only one low-profile player — 21-year-old Iraqi midfielder Hayder Abdulkareem.

5. When does Ronaldo’s contract expire? Summer 2027 (with an option for a further year).

6. Current league standings (after 19 games) Al Hilal 47 pts | Al Nassr 46 pts

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