Cristiano Ronaldo hands Saudi chiefs transfer ultimatum amid boycott as league bites back with fiery statement

Cristiano Ronaldo has warned PIF and Saudi Pro League officials he is prepared to leave Saudi Arabia following a dispute over funding, talkSPORT understands.

The 41-year-old is unhappy with Al Nassr’s recent transfer business despite extending his stay at the club in June until summer 2027.

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Ronaldo missed Al Nassr’s 1-0 win over Al Riyadh on Monday, having been angered by Karim Benzema’s move from Al Ittihad to Al Hilal.

Benzema deal sparks chaos

talkSPORT understands the Portugal international had no personal issue with his former Real Madrid teammate switching between PIF-controlled clubs, but failed to understand how Al Hilal got approved funds to match Benzema’s demands.

PIF insist the clubs make independent recruitment decisions, while Al Hilal sources stress minority owner Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bankrolled the Benzema deal.

Al Ittihad had caused tension with Benzema after offering what the former Ballon d’Or winner felt was insulting renewal terms, only for Al Hilal to agree a one-year contract.

Benzema went on to score a hat-trick on his debut against Al-Akhdoud on Thursday.

Ronaldo returned to Al Nassr training this week but is now set to miss Friday’s home game with Al Ittihad as tensions build, and senior Saudi officials are aware of frustrations over parts of both PIF and the Saudi Pro League’s recruitment strategy.

Ronaldo played a key part in the hiring of Nassr CEO Jose Semedo and sporting director Simão Coutinho and is understood to feel let down by financial support given to the club allowing both to move freely in the market.

This winter, Al Nassr were only able to add Saudi forward Abdullah Al-Hamdan from Al Hilal and Iraqi midfielder Haydeer Abdulkareem from Al-Zawraa SC.

How does the Saudi transfer market work?

Saudi clubs share around €2billionn in seasonal budget, allocated in the summer and intended for transfers, agent fees and wages.

This money comes from the so-called Player Acquisition Centre of Excellence (PACE) programme and is distributed based on needs and market opportunities.

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As a result, clubs do not receive an equal amount.

This has caused friction between the four PIF-controlled clubs, Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli, who can also use their own money.

However, it is potentially not a long-term problem since all four clubs are expected to have new private owners by 2030, with Al Hilal set to be the first to be sold, potentially as early as this year.

Saudi sources insist PIF was only ever intended as a medium-term owner as part of the initial stage of privatisation.

Some senior Saudi officials are even hoping Ronaldo chooses to buy Al Nassr after he retires, but now the new short-term challenge will be pacifying the former Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus forward.

Further talks are expected to take place between Ronaldo and senior PIF and Saudi Pro League officials with a firm desire within Saudi to keep Ronaldo, and have him reach the milestone of 1,000 career goals within the Kingdom.

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Saudi Pro League response

Ronaldo’s recent behaviour as unsurprisingly not gone down well with chiefs of the league.

“The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules,” a league spokesperson said on Thursday evening.

“Clubs have their own boards, their own executives and their own football leadership. Decisions on recruitment, spending and strategy sit with those clubs, within a financial framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance. That framework applies equally across the league.

“Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al Nassr since his arrival and has played an important role in the club’s growth and ambition. Like any elite competitor, he wants to win. But no individual – however significant – determines decisions beyond their own club.

“Recent transfer activity demonstrates that independence clearly. One club strengthened in a particular way. Another chose a different approach. Those were club decisions, taken within approved financial parameters.

“The competitiveness of the league speaks for itself. With only a few points separating the top four, the title race is very much alive. That level of balance reflects a system that is working as intended.

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“The focus remains on football – on the pitch, where it belongs – and on maintaining a credible, competitive competition for players and fans.”

Where could Ronaldo go next?

Yet Ronaldo’s Al Nassr contract includes a €50m release clause and talkSPORT understands Turkish clubs are monitoring the situation ahead of the summer.

It is not thought Ronaldo will boycott games indefinitely, knowing his absence is detrimental to Al Nassr’s title chances and lack of game time in a World Cup year is also not ideal.

However, his decision to sit out matches is supported by the club’s board.

Within Al Nassr, the problem is seen as a day-by-day issue, and one that is fluid.