Cristiano Ronaldo‘s absence with Al Nassr did not go unnoticed. The Portuguese striker will not be available for the match against Al Riyadh, corresponding to matchday 20 of the Saudi Pro League, and his absence has sparked rumors about the possible reason for his absence.
While from the club’s environment it is said to be a preventive decision due to physical discomfort, in Portugal a much more delicate version emerged: a supposed discontent of CR7 himself with the sporting management of the team.
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class=”ue-c-article__subheadline”>Why is Cristiano Ronaldo not in Al Nassr’s squad?
According to the Portuguese newspaper A Bola, Cristiano Ronaldoreportedly decided not to play of his own accord, without any injury to rule him out of the match. According to the Portuguese media, the player’s discomfort is related to the way in which the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) manages the clubs under its control.
Specifically, the report states that the Portuguese is not happy with the treatment Al Nassr receives compared to other teams in the same group, especially Al Hilal, the championship leader and main rival in the fight for the title. This perception was reportedly decisive for CR7 to choose not to be on the field.
Cristiano Ronaldo accuses the lack of signings at the club
One of the points that would have caused the most discomfort for Cristiano Ronaldo is the low investment in reinforcements. In the current winter market, Al Nassr only brought in Haydeer Abdulkareem, a 21-year-old Iraqi midfielder, a move that fell short of the expectations of a club that aspires to the championship.
The contrast became more evident with rumors linking Karim Benzema with Al Hilal. According to European reports, the French striker is close to changing teams after not being satisfied with his renewal at Al-Ittihad, which would further strengthen the league leaders.
What injury does Cristiano Ronaldo have?
From Saudi Arabia, another version gained strength. Local reports indicate that Cristiano Ronaldo suffered a muscle strain during training prior to the match. Although it is not a serious injury, the medical staff recommended rest to avoid major risks in a demanding schedule.
Al Nassr’s sporting planning would aim to have Cristiano in full fitness for the match against Al Ittihad, considered key in the fight for the top places. Under this logic, the absence against Al Riyadh would be a preventive measure and not a sign of internal conflict.
At 41 years of age, CR7 is still the mainstay and the club’s top figure as they desperately seek the league title. They are currently in second place in the Saudi Pro League with 43 points, three points behind leaders Al-Hilal, so the absence of Ronaldo, even for one match, sets off alarm bells at Al-Nassr.