Cristiano Ronaldo has ended his two-match absence from Al Nassr, with the club's management addressing key grievances. According to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, Al Nassr has fully paid outstanding salaries to club staff and collaborators. This payment was a crucial condition for the Portuguese forward to resume normal professional activities.

Ronaldo has been training with the full squad in recent days. However, he will not participate in the midweek AFC Champions League 2 match, where Al Nassr will play away against Arkadag Club in Turkmenistan. The team's plan is for the 41-year-old player to make his comeback in round 22 of the Saudi Pro League, during an away game at Al Fateh.

Ronaldo during the Al Nassr match against Al Wehda at King Abdul Aziz Stadium, Mecca city, Saudi Arabia on the evening of 25/2/2025. Photo: Reuters

Ronaldo's dissatisfaction stemmed from several issues within the Saudi Arabian football system. A primary concern was the operation of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and what the Al Nassr captain perceived as unfair treatment regarding resources and support policies for major PIF-backed clubs. Additionally, social factors contributed to the situation, as some Al Nassr staff experienced delayed salaries during a period of club instability. Ronaldo raised this issue in discussions with management, considering it an integral part of the negotiation process. The atmosphere at the club gradually subsided after the payments were completed.

In a related development, two Portuguese directors at Al Nassr, Jose Semedo and Simao Coutinho, had their executive powers reinstated. Their roles had been restricted since late December 2025. Semedo and Coutinho were initially appointed directors due to their close relationship with Ronaldo.

Days earlier, Ronaldo's future in Saudi Arabia had been questioned. Sky Sports reported that his current contract with Al Nassr includes a release clause valued at approximately 60 million USD. The source indicated that Ronaldo had sent a message to the PIF and the Saudi Pro League organizers, seeking clearer sporting explanations. He warned he would consider leaving the league during the summer 2026 transfer window if his concerns were not addressed.

Another source of Ronaldo's frustration was the club's transfer policy. He questioned why Al Hilal could mobilize significant resources to sign Karim Benzema, while Al Nassr faced many limitations. Consequently, the 41-year-old superstar felt there was an unbalanced competition among Saudi Arabian state-backed clubs.

Despite these issues, Ronaldo's appeal in Saudi Arabia remains undeniable. During the Al Nassr match against Al Ittihad on the evening of February 6, the stands displayed numerous banners bearing the number 7, accompanied by chants of his name.

During Ronaldo's absence, some within the Saudi Pro League had suggested implementing disciplinary and financial measures, as the player had no injury or health issues. According to the Arab newspaper Kooora, organizers considered sanctioning the Al Nassr captain if his absence continued. However, once Ronaldo returned to training, these options were no longer discussed. Meanwhile, regarding speculation about Ronaldo's potential return to the English Premier League, sources close to Man Utd confirmed they have no plans to bring him back to Old Trafford for a third time.

Hoang An (according to A Bola, Kooora)