Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Al-Nassr’s starting line-up and scored against Al-Fateh after missing two matches amid a dispute over finances and transfer backing in the Saudi Pro League. The club captain was on strike after title rivals Al-Hilal signed former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema, while his own side was restricted in how they could move during the transfer market.
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez believes Cristiano Ronaldo could play "on and on and on" if he wanted to, as questions over the 41-year-old's future in the game intensify with each passing day. Ronaldo is almost certain to lead his country at the 2026 World Cup this summer in what is likely to be his international swansong, but it's still unclear when he will retire from the game entirely.
Still just 22 years old, Jhon Duran has joined the sixth club of his increasingly nomadic career and his third in the space of just 12 months, making the controversial decision to head to Russia and sign for Zenit St Petersburg. It is a little over a year since the former Aston Villa hitman was being linked with European giants Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Chelsea, but after spells in Saudi Arabia and Turkey, the striker is already drifting further into obscurity.
Cristiano Ronaldo is back in the Al-Nassr squad and could feature in Saturday's clash with Al-Fateh. The Portuguese legend has missed his club side's last three games, having been frustrated by the Public Investment Fund during the January transfer window, but he now looks set to end his protest and return to the pitch.
Aymeric Laporte has opened up on his decision to turn his back on the Saudi Pro League, admitting that life at Al-Nassr did not align with his professional or personal expectations. The Spain international, who completed a fairytale return to Athletic Club last summer, revealed that his desire to return to his roots outweighed lucrative offers from several other European giants, including Marseille.
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to generate transfer talk in the Saudi Pro League at Al-Nassr, but the Portuguese GOAT has been informed that his next move “won’t be to Manchester United”. CR7 has previously taken in two spells at Old Trafford, but a third is being ruled out as the all-time great mulls over his future options at 41 years of age.
Cristiano Ronaldo, amid his strike action at Al-Nassr, is being backed for an “incredible” link-up with Lionel Messi in MLS. CR7 is seeing a stunning move away from the Saudi Pro League speculated on as tension mounts in the Middle East. It could be that the Portuguese superstar decides to join another GOAT in MLS as Sir David Beckham throws open the doors at Inter Miami.
Al-Nassr beat Turkmenistan club Arkadag 1-0 in the first leg of their AFC Champions League 2 Round of 16 tie, doing so without Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portugal superstar is set to return to action this weekend after missing their last three fixtures, but without him, they managed to earn an advantage they will take back to Saudi Arabia, thanks to Abdullah Al-Hamdan's strike.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been told he "doesn't have the genius" of fellow footballing greats such as Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona and Ronaldo Nazario by former Real Madrid boss Fabio Capello. The Portugal and Al-Nassr superstar is still going strong at the age of 41, and remains on track to score 1,000 career goals before he retires, but has been told he's still not one of the very best.
Karim Benzema reportedly provoked former Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo after sealing his controversial transfer to Al-Hilal, with the French forward said to have sent a Saudi Pro League title joke to a disgruntled friend that has taken strike action at Al-Nassr. Ronaldo was left frustrated at seeing a fellow Ballon d’Or winner change clubs during the winter transfer window.
Jorge Jesus has reportedly sent an ultimatum to Al-Nassr’s board, with the Portuguese coach making it clear that his future in the Saudi Pro League is directly tied to that of fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo. CR7 has taken to going on strike of late, as grievances in the Middle East are aired, and there is an exit clause in his contract that can be triggered in the summer transfer window.
Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos has defended his former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo over his Al-Nassr strike, insisting "no-one would watch the Saudi Pro League" if he were not playing in the country. The Portugal international is poised to end his two-game strike and return to competitive attack with Jorge Jesus's side after returning to training this week.
Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly ready to end his strike at Al-Nassr as he prepares to return for the Saudi Arabian club. The former Real Madrid and Manchester United superstar had refused to play for his side in protest at their transfer dealings in January, missing the team's last two matches, but Al-Nassr have now pencilled in the date for their superstar's return.
Cristiano Ronaldo is generating transfer talk at Al-Nassr, having gone on strike in the Saudi Pro League, with a return to Europe for the Portuguese GOAT being speculated on. It has been suggested that the 41-year-old frontman could be targeted by Manchester United for a third spell at Old Trafford, but the Red Devils’ stance on a stunning deal has been revealed.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been urged to “never stop playing football”, with fellow Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos telling the Portuguese GOAT that he needs to prolong his career for as long as possible - even if he ends up “with one leg or crawling”. CR7 has passed his 41st birthday without giving any thought to retirement and is expected to grace the 2026 World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been told that he “needs to know his place”, with the Portuguese superstar being reminded that he would have “never entered the White House” alongside President Donald Trump if it were not for the backing of the Saudi Pro League - a division that the Ballon d’Or-winning Al-Nassr striker is currently taking shock strike action against.
Cristiano Ronaldo is being tipped to leave Al-Nassr in the summer transfer window if Liverpool star Mohamed Salah makes the switch to the Saudi Pro League. The Portugal superstar's future at the club is currently in doubt amid a protest against the Public Investment Fund (PIF) over transfers which has seen Ronaldo left out of his club's last two league matches.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been left out of Al-Nassr's squad for their clash with Al-Ittihad on Friday night. The Portuguese legend's relationship with the Saudi Pro League appears to be in ruins, with the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star reportedly threatening to quit and leave after the Public Investment Fund facilitated a transfer for Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal, the latter of whom are Al-Nassr's direct rivals for the league title this season.
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.
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.
Eden Hazard has lifted the lid on his refusal to adopt the ultra-professional lifestyle of Cristiano Ronaldo, despite the pleas of a former manager. The former Chelsea star prioritised personal happiness and a "glass of wine" over the relentless discipline that defined the Portuguese star, insisting he has no regrets about his path.
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!...