Surprise Cristiano Ronaldo release clause emerges as Al Nassr strike threatens to go on

Cristiano Ronaldo has a shock release clause that can be activated this summer as his Al Nassr strike continues.

The world’s best-paid footballer is refusing to play for the Saudi team following a lack of spending in the transfer market.

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On Monday, he took no part in the match against Al Riyadh, and on Friday, he isn’t guaranteed to be involved either as his team face Al Ittihad.

Ronaldo witnessed his former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema join Al Hilal, leaving the 41-year-old wondering what is going at Al Nassr.

And The Athletic are reporting that he has a 50 million Euro release clause, which is around £43.5m.

With the knowledge of this release clause now public, and with Ronaldo continuing not to play for Al Nassr, his future in the Middle East is starting to look unclear.

What’s going on?

Ronaldo earns £175million a year from Al Nassr, and he has until the summer of 2027 on the contract.

We all know he is looking to score 1,000 professional goals, and being in the Saudi Pro League looks to be his best chance to do that.

But the former Real Madrid superstar is unhappy with how the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund [PIF] are dealing with the club’s finances.

Al Nassr are one of four Saudi Pro League sides majority owned by PIF, but the group vary how they split their money.

That was evident in January as Al Hilal spent £38million new players, while Ronaldo’s team bought just one, in Haydeer Abdulkareem.

Al Nassr are yet to win the Saudi Pro League since Ronaldo joined in 2023 to become the poster boy for the competition.

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But with the club well positioned to finally do so, Ronaldo wanted to see some additions arrive.

The decision of where the money goes in the Saudi Pro League isn’t entirely down to PIF either.

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Sport also play a huge part in where funds go as well.

But in response, Ronaldo removed himself from first-team training and the match.

And the situation hasn’t been resolved as yet, with the Portuguese international to be fined.

What happens next?

The knowledge of this release clause could see a very interesting summer ahead.

It also remains to be seen if Ronaldo’s decision to go on strike sees any change of strategy from the PIF and those above them.

But Ronaldo’s decision to go on strike hasn’t gone down well in the talkSPORT studio.

Danny Murphy on White and Jordan said: “Maybe Ronaldo could give some of his earnings to the club to then help them get more players.

“I’ve never heard of something so ridiculous in all my life, self-indulgent nonsense.”

Jim White also wasn’t too impressed.

“It is absolutely bizarre when you consider the earning capacity of Cristiano and Benzema.

“For either of them to be disillusioned, upset about the way their clubs are run, to put it mildly, is almost unthinkable.”