Cristiano Ronaldo's Strike Challenges PIF's Monopoly in the Saudi Arabian League

RIYADH, TUESDAY – Cristiano Ronaldo's strike in Week 20 of the 2025–2026 Saudi Arabian League has had far-reaching consequences. When the captain refused to play, Al Nassr players and coaches also protested during the match against Al Riyadh on Monday (February 2, 2026) at Prince Turki bin Abdul Aziz Stadium in Riyadh.

In that match, Al Nassr secured three points with a 1–0 victory. Senegalese striker, Sadio Mane, scored a goal utilizing an assist from Joao Felix to seal the win in the 40th minute.

The result brought Al Nassr closer in points to the top of the standings, Al Hilal. With a total of 46 points, Al Nassr is now only one point behind Al Hilal. In fact, in mid-January, Al Nassr was trailing by seven points from Al Hilal after losing 1–3 in the Riyadh derby against Al Hilal.

Despite securing three important points in the pursuit of the Saudi League championship title this season, a cold attitude continues to overshadow the Al Nassr squad. Al Nassr's coach, Jorge Jesus, refused to attend the pre-match interview session and the press conference after the match.

Not only Jesus, but the Al Nassr players also remained silent when Saudi journalists requested time for interviews in the mixed zone after the match. The same was done by Al Nassr's CEO, Jose Semedo.

"I cannot speak and I do not have an answer regarding the topic (Ronaldo's strike) that," said Semedo to Thmanyah Sports before the match against Al Riyadh.

Referring to the disciplinary and ethical rules of the Saudi League, the actions of the coach and players of Al Nassr will result in a fine for the club. Al Nassr will be fined approximately 6,700 euros or around Rp 132.7 million.

According to Portuguese media outlet A Bola, Ronaldo's strike, followed by the refusal of other Al Nassr coaches and players to participate in interviews, was prompted by their protest. Led by Ronaldo, Al Nassr protested the club's owner consortium, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which they deemed unfairly allocating transfer capital during this winter's transfer window.

Al Nassr is indeed looking to find a replacement for Ronaldo to strengthen the center forward position. After Jhon Duran moved to Fenerbahce last summer and subsequently releasing Haroune Camara to Al-Shabab in January, Ronaldo currently lacks a direct deputy for the number nine role at Al Nassr.

This situation has led Ronaldo to demand that Al Nassr be active in the winter transfer market. However, Al Nassr has only brought in Iraqi passport holder, Haydeer Abdulkareem, who plays as a central midfielder.

The 21-year-old midfielder only served as a backup. The amount spent by Al Nassr for the transfer has also been kept confidential.

“Ronaldo is concerned about the disparity in transfer fees from PIF, especially compared to Al Nassr’s rivals, Al Hilal,” A Bola reported.

As a representation, PIF controls four giant clubs in Saudi Arabia, namely Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli. During the winter transfer window, Al Nassr and Al Ittihad reportedly did not spend a single Saudi riyal despite bringing in a new player.

Conversely, Al Hilal has allocated a substantial amount of funds to strengthen their squad. Approximately 92 million euros (IDR 1.82 trillion) has been spent by Al Hilal—from PIF funds—to bring in six players.

Karim Benzema has become a surprising transfer in the winter market. He joined Al Hilal from Al Ittihad. Benzema was acquired for 25 million euros (approximately 495 billion IDR), even though his contract with his former club was only set to expire on June 30, 2026.

In addition to Benzema, Al Hilal has brought in a young striker with a French passport, Kader Meite, from Stade Rennes. Meanwhile, Al Hilal is still reinforced by two Latin strikers, namely Marcos Leonardo (Brazil) and Darwin Nunez (Uruguay). Both players have contributed nine and six goals in the Saudi League this season.

There is also attacking midfielder Saimon Bouabre from NEOM SC and Saudi national team midfielder, Murad Al-Hawsawi, from Al Khaleej. Al Hilal has also secured the experienced defender, Pablo Mari, from Fiorentina.

On the other hand, Al Ahli, sitting in third place, has brought in a new center forward. He is a tall striker from Brazil, Ricardo Mathias. The 19-year-old player was recruited for a fee of 10 million euros (approximately 198 billion IDR).

Mathias will compete with the center forward of the squad coached by Matthias Jaissle, such as England's Ivan Toney and the Saudi national team's striker, Firas Al-Buraikan. Toney is currently the top scorer in the Saudi League with a total of 18 goals. He is one goal ahead of Ronaldo.

"We have the money. Our transfer process is tailored to the team's needs," Jaissle said of his team's transfer strategy in the winter transfer window, as quoted by the Saudi Gazette. Jaissle made this statement after his team held Al Hilal to a 0-0 draw on Tuesday (February 3, 2026) WIB.

Ronaldo's protest is closely related to his ambition to secure the first major title for Al Nassr. Entering his fourth season in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo still yearns for the Saudi League title for his team.

During that period, he witnessed Al Hilal crowned as the champion of the Saudi League 2023–2024, Al Hilal as the champion of the Asian Champions League Elite 2024–2025, and Al Ittihad becoming the dominant force in the Saudi League in 2022–2023 and 2024–2025.

As the Saudi League winter transfer window closed on February 2, the strike action by Ronaldo shows no signs of coming to an end. The PIF and the Saudi Pro League, the operators of the Saudi competition, have less than four days to persuade "CR7" to return to play before the week 21 match against Al Ittihad on February 6. (AP)