Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr are facing a financial crisis that has halted transfers and delayed salary payments, according to Saudi Arabian media.
The news comes just days after Europa League-winning boss Ange Postecoglou was appointed, and follows Ronaldo’s strike earlier in the year over what he viewed as a lack of investment in the club, despite earning £488,000 a day.
According to a report in Al-Riyadiyah, several first-team players received their June salaries in instalments, while the club’s hierarchy have been working to settle the upcoming outstanding amounts.
There is, however, a lack of detailed information regarding how many players have been affected, how much of their salary remains unpaid and when any outstanding balances are expected to be settled. The seriousness of the club’s long-term financial therefore remains unclear.
The report does state, though, that the accumulation of debt, which exceeds the club’s revenues, has seen Al Nassr’s transfer activity stall during the current window, including plans to acquire a foreign player to replace midfielder Marcelo Brozovic.
The precariousness of the situation could also have a lasting impact on those players already at the club, as highlighted by a source in Al-Riyadiyah.
Ronaldo went on strike earlier in the year over what he viewed as a lack of investment in the club, despite earning £488,000 a day
The news comes just days after Europa League-winning boss Ange Postecoglou took charge
‘This makes it impossible to impose new contractual obligations on the club before addressing the current financial situation and providing proof of its ability to meet its commitments,’ they said.
The same source confirmed that Al-Nassr’s management has not yet submitted the necessary documents to the relevant authorities to demonstrate its financial capacity to enter into new contracts.
All of this comes despite the club’s heavy investment in recent years following Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival, leading to the reclamation of the Saudi Pro League title at the end of last season after seven years without a crown.
Earlier this year, Ronaldo – who reportedly signed a new two-year deal last summer worth £492million – is said to have been frustrated over what he viewed as a lack of investment in the squad.
The Portugal captain was reportedly dissatisfied with the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) backing of the club, particularly as rivals Al Hilal, which is also 75 per cent owned by the PIF, continued to strengthen. Among their high-profile additions was Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema, who joined from Al Ittihad.
Ronaldo returned to playing after two matches following the meeting of his main demands, namely the payment of overdue salaries and management autonomy being restored to the club’s top executives. With this, Simao Coutinho (sporting director) and Jose Semedo (CEO), who had been suspended from their duties by the PIF, regained their power to act, according to reports at the time.
‘Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al Nassr since his arrival and has played an important role in the club’s growth and ambition. Like any elite competitor, he wants to win. But no individual – however significant – determines decisions beyond their own club,’ the league responded at the time.
This summer, Al-Nassr have turned to former Spurs boss Postecoglou as Jorge Jesus’ successor ahead of the new season.
‘Mr. Jesus did an outstanding job last year to win the championship and now the club is ready to go to the next level, and that’s why I’m here,’ Postecoglou told club media earlier this week.
‘Every year is new. I’ve had a lot of success in my career, but every new year I start with the same thought in my head: I want this year to be the best ever.’
