A text message from Karim Benzema reportedly played a role in Cristiano Ronaldo embarking on his strike in Saudi Arabia, with the Al-Nassr star sitting out two of his side’s matches.
Ronaldo, who is paid in the region of £480,000-a-day, is said to have been incensed by a lack of action and ambition in the transfer window while Al-Nassr’s rivals strengthened.
The 41-year-old’s frustration was believed to have been sparked by watching league rival – and fellow Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) club – Al-Hilal tempt his former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad.
According to a report by the Telegraph, a light-hearted text message from Benzema to Ronaldo was said to have increased his frustration.
Benzema was said to have jokingly told Ronaldo that he had received a pay-rise by moving from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal, before adding that he was going to win the Saudi Pro League again.
The French forward won the league last year with Al-Ittihad, with Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr languishing 13 points off the pace in third.
A light-hearted text message from Karim Benzema, right, reportedly contributed to Cristiano Ronaldo opting to go on strike at Al-Nassr
Benzema reportedly joked he had secured a pay-rise and would win the Saudi Pro League title again at his new club Al-Hilal in a message to his former Real Madrid team-mate
Ronaldo, who is yet to win silverware in Saudi Arabia, reportedly has the perception that Al-Nassr lacks the ambition of their rivals in the transfer window
His new club Al-Hilal are currently one point ahead of Al-Nassr in the title race this season, with Ronaldo aiming to win the Saudi Pro League for the first time in his fourth year with the side.
Benzema’s start at Al-Hilal may have only deepened Ronaldo’s frustration with the Frenchman scoring twice on his debut.
Ronaldo is thought to have been unimpressed by his club’s own approach to the transfer window, which saw them only introduce one player – a young midfielder – into their ranks this winter.
But last week, a statement shared with Daily Mail Sport from the league suggested his claims were unfounded.
‘The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules,’ they said.
‘Clubs have their own boards, their own executives and their own football leadership. Decisions on recruitment, spending and strategy sit with those clubs, within a financial framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance. That framework applies equally across the league.
‘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 spokesperson added that recent transfer activity had ‘demonstrated that independence clearly’.
Although Ronaldo was not present for his club’s last two matches his presence was deeply felt
Ronaldo has been back in training after reportedly deciding to end his strike last week
‘One club strengthened in a particular way,’ they said. ‘Another chose a different approach. Those were club decisions, taken within approved financial parameters.
‘The competitiveness of the league speaks for itself. With only a few points separating the top four, the title race is very much alive. That level of balance reflects a system that is working as intended.
‘The focus remains on football – on the pitch, where it belongs – and on maintaining a credible, competitive competition for players and fans.’
Since arriving at the Saudi side in January 2023, Ronaldo has failed to win major silverware.
Ronaldo resumed training with Al-Nassr last week, after the club are thought to have yielded to a number of his demands.
As per A Bola, Al-Nassr is thought to have reinstated certain powers to directors Jose Semedo and Simao Coutinho, both of whom are alleged to have had their wings clipped preventing the club from making moves during the January window.
Semedo was appointed chief executive at the club in July, and is a close friend of Ronaldo, while sporting director Coutinho was similarly appointed over the summer.
However, Ronaldo is also said to have been incensed over unequal treatment within the club itself, taking issue with a number of delays to salaries of staff.
Al-Nassr is thought to have settled outstanding payments in an additional attempt to see Ronaldo back on the pitch.
Ronaldo is not expected to return of Al-Nassr’s Asian Champions League side away at Turkmenistan side Arkadag, but could be back when the Saudi Pro League resumes on Saturday against Al-Fateh.
