Cristiano Ronaldo is set to miss his second game as his apparent strike continues.
The former Manchester United star, who turned 41 on Thursday, sat out Al Nassr’s last match amid reports he is unhappy at the backing they are being given by the Saudi government compared to other clubs in the country’s Pro League.
Hopes had been raised that the Portuguese had ended his protest – which saw him miss Monday’s win over Al Riyadh – after he posted a picture of himself in training on social media on Wednesday.
However, it now looks like he will sit out Friday’s match against last year’s champions Al Ittihad, which is being viewed as a must-win fixture.
Ronaldo is reportedly paid almost £500,000 a day to play for Al Nassr, who are second in the table and four points behind leaders Al Hilal.
He is thought to be angry that Al Hilal, his side’s main rivals, signed Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad, while Al Nassr’s only January addition was a young midfielder. Benzema’s debut for Al Hilal saw him score a hat-trick in a 6-0 win at Al Akhdoud on Thursday night.
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to boycott his second-straight match for Al Nassr in protest once more
Ronaldo, who turned 41 on Thursday, returned to Al Nassr training on Wednesday – despite being unhappy at their lack of spending while Saudi title rivals Al Hilal bought Karim Benzema
Benzema marked his Al Hilal bow on Thursday with a hat-trick in a huge 6-0 win at Al Akhdoud
Ronaldo also believes his club, which is yet to lift the title, are not receiving the same level of support as Al Hilal and the other two club’s owned by the country’s sovereign wealth fund.
He has 18 months left on his contract, which includes a £43m release clause. However, whether there would be any suitors for a 41-year-old at that price remains to be seen. While clubs are allowed designated players, many in MLS would find it difficult to get close to Ronaldo’s current salary. There is also zero chance of a return to Old Trafford, according to sources.
The Pro League declined to comment, although Daily Mail Sport understands officials are bemused by the situation.
Benzema’s move was not funded by PIF but by a private investor – and Al Nassr could follow suit if they found similar backing. Ronaldo has input into each signing his club makes and the view of the league is that funding is distributed evenly across all PIF clubs. Al Nassr have already spent £100m this season.
