Sources: Ronaldo dispute with PIF behind absence
Cristiano Ronaldo was not in the squad for Al Nassr's 1-0 Saudi Pro League win over Al Riyadh on Monday.Ronaldo sat out the game in protest because he was unhappy with PIF's (Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund) lack of transfer activity at the club compared to other clubs owned by the fund, sources told ESPN.Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane scored the game's only goal to move Al Nassr to within one point of leaders Al Hilal in the standings.The Portuguese forward, who has now scored 91 goals in 95 Saudi Pro League matches since he signed for the Riyadh-based club in 2023, is said to be frustrated that Al Nassr failed to add significant reinforcements in their push for the title.It comes as Al Hilal have made a number of moves including the signing of France forward Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad, according to ESPN sources.Ronaldo was not injured or out of favor with manager Jorge Jesus. Instead, the 40-year-old has made himself unavailable for the match due to personal disappointment with PIF, effectively deciding to go on strike for at least Monday's match.Al Nassr have signed only Iraq under-23 midfielder Haydeer Abdulkareem this January, who is still waiting to make his debut for the club.Conversely, Al Hilal have already signed 18-year-old forward Mohamed Meïté from Stade Rennais and former Arsenal defender Pablo Marí from Fiorentina as well as Saudi internationals Murad Al Hawsawi and Sultan Mandash from Al Khaleej and Al Taawoun, with Benzema set to be their fifth major signing of the window.- Transfer deadline day: 10 of the best Premier League signings in January- Yaya Toure's Premier League penalty record is quietly broken- Rodri criticizes referees after Tottenham draw: 'It's not fair'Jesus previously said he was hopeful for some transfer activity, saying: "I spoke about the winter period."We don't have any openings for foreign players, and the financial situation at Al-Nassr is not good and doesn't allow it -- I hope that one or two, maybe three players can join us."Ronaldo, who turns 41 on Thursday, signed a new contract in June, which will keep him at Al Nassr until at least June 2027.
