Saudi Pro League news

Karim Benzema became caught up in an angry exchange with a journalist following his stunning debut for Al-Hilal. The veteran French striker has sparked remarkable scenes in the Saudi Pro League - with Cristiano Ronaldo going on strike - after completing a free transfer. Benzema has refuted suggestions that he left Al-Ittihad without saying goodbye to his former team-mates.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s strike action at Al-Nassr has been branded “bizarre”, with Premier League legend Alan Shearer questioning how the Portuguese superstar can justify his behaviour while earning “over £400,000 a day”. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has taken to ruling himself out of contention for selection in Saudi Pro League fixtures, leading to inevitable transfer speculation being generated.

Cristiano Ronaldo has received a public warning from the Saudi Pro League after taking personal grievances too far and going on strike. The Portuguese superstar, unhappy at the way transfer funds are distributed in the Middle East, sat out Al-Nassr’s last fixture after making himself unavailable. He has, as transfer talk rages, been reminded how things work in Saudi Arabia.

How to watch the Saudi Pro League match between Al Nassr FC and Al Ittihad, as well as kick-off time and team news.

Cristiano Ronaldo has threatened to leave Al-Nassr in the summer as he continues his strike action against the club, CBS Sports reports. The Portugal superstar missed the 1-0 win over Al-Riyadh in protest at PIF's decision to transfer Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal.

Why does Cristiano Ronaldo always have so much bad luck?!... First, Erik ten Hag didn't recognise his unrivalled ability at Manchester United, then Fernando Santos ruined his 2022 World Cup bid with Portugal. And now, the powers that be in Saudi Arabia are conspiring to make sure his trophy drought in the Middle East extends to three-and-a-half seasons. Give the guy a break!...

Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly poised to bring his surprising strike action at Al-Nassr to a close, with the Portuguese icon prepared to face Al-Ittihad in a crucial Saudi Pro League fixture on Friday. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner sat out a derby date with Al-Riyadh after supposedly growing frustrated at how transfer funds are being distributed across teams in the Middle East.

Cristiano Ronaldo has broken his silence and posted an update on social media following reports he has gone on strike at Al-Nassr. The Portugal superstar did not feature in Al-Nassr's last league fixture against Al-Riyadh on Monday amid speculation he had refused to play after being left unhappy at the PIF's lack of transfer activity at his club compared to others owned by the fund.

Karim Benzema has ignited a storm in the Saudi Pro League by branding his new club Al-Hilal the "Real Madrid in Asia" immediately after completing a controversial transfer from rivals Al-Ittihad. While the Frenchman eyes more silverware, the move is said to have infuriated Al-Nassr star Cristiano Ronaldo, who reportedly attempted to block it.

Cristiano Ronaldo has not left Riyadh and continues to train with Al-Nassr, debunking reports of a strike. The Portuguese legend remains furious over the club's lack of transfer activity and the controversy surrounding Karim Benzema's proposed move to Al-Hilal, but a return to his homeland has been ruled out as he eyes the MLS or Europe for his next step.

Three years ago, Cristiano Ronaldo stunned the sporting world by joining Al-Nassr. Six months later, the Portuguese trailblazer was joined in the Saudi Pro League by a number of high-profile players, including Karim Benzema, Neymar, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Aymeric Laporte. Some of those superstars were clearly past their prime, but the mere fact that they were willing to move to the Middle East felt significant.

N’Golo Kante has officially completed a dramatic move to Fenerbahce after agreeing to terminate his contract with Al-Ittihad. The French World Cup winner has put pen to paper on a deal until June 2028, returning to European football after FIFA finally granted the green light following an administrative blunder that had initially derailed the switch.

A former team-mate of Cristiano Ronaldo has delivered his verdict on the Portuguese legend potentially returning for a third spell at Manchester United. The 40-year-old has reportedly become unhappy at Al-Nassr, believing owners the Public Investment Fund (PIF) have favoured its other three teams ahead of his own. Ronaldo could seek a fresh move in the coming months as he targets hitting 1,000 career goals before he retires.

Mohamed Salah has reportedly emerged as Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad's number one priority to replace Karim Benzema. The Egyptian has long been a target for Saudi Arabian clubs and has endured a disappointing campaign so far, hitting out at Liverpool in December before jetting off to the Africa Cup of Nations. The 33-year-old signed a new contract with the Reds last April but his future is up in the air having only scored six club goals this season.

N'Golo Kante reportedly refused to turn up for training with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad on Tuesday after a move to Turkish giants Fenerbahce collapsed. The France international was set to fly to Istanbul to wrap up the transfer, but an administrative error from Al-Ittihad apparently stopped the deal from going through. There is still a chance of the transfer being completed, with Turkiye's transfer window not closing until Friday, February 6.

Inter Miami co-owner Sir David Beckham is being billed as “the one” to make a union between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo possible. Two all-time greats have competed against one another down the years, but have never graced the same team. That ultimate pact may yet happen, with CR7 seeing a move to MLS mooted on the back of his strike action at Al-Nassr.

Ezequiel Garay forms part of an exclusive group of players. The former Real Madrid and Argentina defender has worked alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. That makes him well placed to pass judgement of which of the iconic forwards can be considered the GOAT. It comes as little surprise to find that the South American sides with his fellow countryman.