Cristiano Ronaldo appears to have gone on strike against Al Nasr.
Ronaldo missed the team’s Saudi Pro League win against Al Riyadh on Monday, and Sky Sports News reported that Ronaldo was unhappy with the club’s management.
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Cristiano Ronaldo scores a goal for Al Nasr in the Saudi Pro League match in Al Khorod.
Al Nasr is one of four clubs in the Saudi Professional League owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Ronaldo believes that three other clubs, Al Hilal, Al Ahly and Al Ittihad, are particularly favored in the transfer market.
Al Hilal have enjoyed fruitful opportunities so far, completing the signing of former Arsenal defender Pablo Mari, while Rennes’ Kader Meite is heavily linked with a £26m move.
Al Hilal have acquired Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad on a free transfer.
Cristiano Ronaldo is said to be unhappy with Al Nasr
Benzema, who is reportedly on a reported £1.6 million-a-week salary, signed a one-and-a-half year contract with his new club after his contract with Al Ittihad expired this summer.
He felt so insulted by his former club’s offer to extend his contract last week that he did not play in Sunday’s match against Al Najma.
The French striker has now completed his move after a move looked in jeopardy early on Deadline Day.
Should Ronaldo go on ‘strike’ for £500,000 a day?
Sky Sports News Chief Correspondent Kaveh Solhekol:
“Don’t even think about Cristiano Ronaldo, who earns around £500,000 a day, but he’s very unhappy at the moment because he didn’t play for his club Al Nasr on Monday.
“There were no problems with his fitness, he didn’t rest, he wasn’t in the team at all. The reason he didn’t play was because he was dissatisfied with the way Al Nasr was being run.”
“Ronaldo feels that the PIF has put more money into Al Hilal, Al Ahly and Al Ittihad than it has put into his club Al Nasr.
“Remember, Ronaldo has been in Saudi Arabia, scoring goals as a hobby, but Al Nasr have not won a title in that time. Ronaldo thought during this period that the club would dig deeper and bring in reinforcements to strengthen the squad. He feels that hasn’t happened.”
“And that’s why he effectively went on strike.”
Toni refuses to let Juventus stay in Saudi Arabia
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Highlights of the match between Al Ahly and Al Etifaq in the Saudi Pro League.
Meanwhile, Ivan Toney turned down opportunities to move to two clubs in the Premier League, Juventus and the Premier League, during this period.
Tony is happy and settled at Al Ahly and believes he is healthier and sharper than ever.
He has scored 56 goals in 72 games for Al Ahly and is hoping to continue scoring to earn a place in England’s World Cup squad. He has been called up to Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions squad for an international camp in June.
Al Ahly signed him from Brentford for £40m 18 months ago.
