Former Moroccan midfielder Mustapha Hadji believes Cristiano Ronaldo should be grateful to Saudi Arabia for the significant opportunity to conclude his career with financial security and respect. Hadji urged the Portuguese superstar to appreciate his time in the Saudi Pro League instead of causing unrest at Al Nassr.

"Ronaldo should finish his career in Saudi Arabia and maintain the positive image he has built in the Saudi Pro League," the 54-year-old former midfielder stated on Al Arabiya. "Fans have shown Ronaldo immense affection since he joined Al Nassr. It's his responsibility to reciprocate that love by dedicating himself fully to the team."

Ronaldo celebrates a goal making it 5-1, in the match against Al Riyadh in the third round of the Saudi Pro League at King Saud University stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on the evening of 20/9/2025. Photo: Reuters

Hadji played 63 matches for the Morocco national team from 1993 to 2002, and was named African Player of the Year in 1998. He won the UEFA Intertoto Cup with Aston Villa in 2001 and played for several other mid-tier European clubs.

The Portuguese superstar has reportedly missed two consecutive Saudi Pro League matches, including a 1-0 victory over Al Riyadh and a 2-0 win against Al Ittihad. This absence is believed to stem from Ronaldo's dissatisfaction with the transfer policies of teams owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), such as Al Nassr and Al Hilal. While Al Nassr did not sign quality players during the mid-season transfer window, Al Hilal was very active. Karim Benzema's transfer from Al Ittihad to Al Hilal was reportedly the "final straw" that angered Ronaldo.

Despite the perceived unrest, Hadji emphasized his understanding of Ronaldo's personality, describing the 41-year-old forward as emotional, genuine, and always acting from the heart. "Ronaldo is causing unrest at Al Nassr, but that's not a sign he's turning his back on the club," Hadji explained. "On the contrary, Ronaldo always fights, and when he returns, he will give everything he can for Al Nassr. CR7 is a professional player, a role model for young people, and always respects the fans."

Saud Al-Sarami, former spokesperson for Al Nassr, suggested that Ronaldo was behind the leaking of crisis details to international media. He assessed that the 41-year-old superstar is unhappy with the current situation, a sentiment reflected in journalist Piers Morgan's social media revelations. However, Al-Sarami indicated that representatives from PIF and Ronaldo are likely to meet, anticipating a resolution within a few days and Ronaldo's swift return to play. Journalist Abdul Rahman Al-Jammaz echoed this sentiment, expecting the situation to calm down within two days.

Piers Morgan, a close associate of Ronaldo, confirmed discussing the current crisis with the Portuguese captain. Writing on social media X, Morgan stated he understood Ronaldo's feelings and supported the Al Nassr captain, though he declined to reveal specific details of their conversation.

According to CBS, Ronaldo's contract with Al Nassr includes a 60 million USD release clause. This provision raises the possibility of his departure if both parties cannot find common ground.

By Hoang An (via Kooora)