The main reason for Ronaldo's refusal to participate in the game is his dissatisfaction with the club's management, which, in his opinion, does not provide the necessary sporting ambition. A source close to the team reported that Ronaldo believes the club is at a disadvantage compared to other teams under the control of the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
The player expresses concern about insufficient investments and ineffective sports strategy, which is exacerbated by modest transfers in the winter window. The only new player is 21-year-old Iraqi midfielder Haider Abdulkarim, which does not meet the demands of head coach Jorge Jesus, who expected more serious reinforcements for the team.
The situation within the club also creates tension. Despite the presence of Portuguese specialists in key positions, such as Simao Coutinho (sports director) and Jose Semedo (general director), their powers were limited by a decision of the board of directors at the beginning of the month. This, according to Ronaldo, weakens the team and reduces its competitiveness.
The comparison with Al-Hilal, which is also managed by PIF, creates a sense of injustice for Ronaldo. Al-Hilal is actively signing new players, such as Spanish defender Pablo Mari and French forward Kader Meite for 30 million euros. Earlier, Jorge Jesus publicly expressed concerns about the lack of political support for his club compared to Al-Hilal, which caused a wide resonance in the world of Saudi football.
The next match for Al-Nassr against Al-Riyadh is scheduled for February 2. Currently, the team occupies the second position in the championship table, trailing Al-Hilal by three points.
