Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo has ended his strike from participating in Al-Nassr’s matches after receiving promises from the capital club to address the mistakes that accompanied the recent period.
It was revealed on Monday that Ronaldo decided to return to participation with the Al-Nassr team after a period of “rebellion” that led to his absence from two matches.
According to reports, “The Don’s” return came after the management and relevant authorities settled his humanitarian and administrative demands.
Indeed, Ronaldo posted a picture of himself inside the club, holding up a victory sign.
Ronaldo Receives Promises
It was mentioned that the third-place holder in the Saudi League’s top scorers ranking received promises to “restore administrative and financial powers to Semedo and Coutinho. The coming days are expected to bring wide-ranging changes in the administrative structure, which may reach the point of removing Abdullah Al-Majed, the Chairman of the Board, as part of the proposed measures to contain internal tension.”
It was added that one of the interviews given by Al-Majed “upset the Portuguese circle surrounding the team, after comments addressed the work of the CEO and the technical staff led by (Portuguese) coach Jorge Jesus.”
It was revealed that a majority decision from the Board of Directors was issued on December 31 via an official email addressed to department heads “included freezing Semedo’s authority and withdrawing financial disbursement powers from all individuals, limiting financial approvals to only the Executive Committee approved by the Board of Directors.”
Date of Ronaldo’s Return to Al-Nassr
The report mentioned that Ronaldo will not participate in the match against “Arkadag” of Turkmenistan in the AFC Champions League 2, preferring to focus on returning at full strength in the Saudi League, specifically in the match against Al-Fateh scheduled for next Saturday in the 22nd round of the Roshn Saudi League.
Background of the Ronaldo Crisis
The past few days have witnessed tension between the Al-Nassr captain and the sports decision-makers, as Ronaldo was absent from the last two official matches:
- Al-Riyadh match: (in early February 2026).
- The Clasico match against Al-Ittihad: (which was held on February 6, 2026).
Saudi Professional League Responds to Ronaldo
The Saudi Professional League did not stand idly by, issuing a strongly worded statement (indirectly) in response to Ronaldo’s stance, which included the following points:
- Club Autonomy: The League confirmed that each club operates according to a specific budget and an independent administrative strategy, and that club deals (such as Benzema’s transfer to Al-Hilal) are subject to approved financial standards and do not imply favoritism.
- “Sovereignty” Message: The League emphasized in its statement that “no player, regardless of his value, can make decisions that exceed the interest of his club or influence the league’s laws.”
- Warning: The League called on players to focus on giving on the field, affirming that “the system is working as planned to ensure parity.”
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is a world-famous Portuguese professional footballer, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the sport’s history. His cultural significance extends beyond the pitch, as he has become a global brand and icon through his athletic achievements, marketability, and philanthropic efforts.
Al-Nassr
Al-Nassr is a professional football club based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, founded in 1955. It is one of the most successful clubs in the country, having won numerous Saudi Pro League titles and the Asian Club Championship in 1998.
Portugal
Portugal is a country in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula, with a history deeply shaped by its Age of Discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries when it established a vast maritime empire. Its cultural identity is reflected in landmarks like the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon and the historic center of Porto, both UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Saudi League
The Saudi League, officially known as the Saudi Pro League, is the top tier of professional football in Saudi Arabia, founded in 1976. It has grown into a major football competition in Asia and gained significant global attention in 2023 following high-profile signings of international stars, which marked a new chapter in its sporting and commercial history.
Semedo
Semedo is a paleontological site in Angola known for its significant fossil discoveries, including dinosaur remains from the Early Cretaceous period. It has contributed important findings to the understanding of prehistoric life in Africa, particularly through fossils unearthed in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Coutinho
Coutinho is a common Portuguese surname and not a specific place or cultural site. It is historically associated with Portuguese nobility and has been borne by notable figures, such as the Brazilian-born footballer Philippe Coutinho. Without a specific geographic location or defined cultural landmark, there is no singular history to summarize.
Abdullah Al-Majed
Abdullah Al-Majed is a prominent cultural and commercial complex in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, named after a local businessman. It opened in the early 1990s and quickly became a major social hub, featuring a large mosque, shopping centers, and entertainment venues. The complex reflects the region’s economic growth and modernization during that period.
Jorge Jesus
Jorge Jesus is a highly successful and well-known Portuguese football manager, not a physical place or cultural site. He is best known for his tactical acumen and has managed several top clubs in Portugal and Brazil, most notably Sport Lisboa e Benfica and Flamengo. His career is defined by winning numerous domestic league titles and international trophies, including the Copa Libertadores with Flamengo in 2019.
Arkadag
Arkadag is a modern city in Turkmenistan, founded in 2019 and named in honor of the former president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, whose title “Arkadag” means “protector.” It was constructed as a showcase capital of the Ahal Province, featuring white marble buildings and modern infrastructure, and officially inaugurated in 2023.
Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan, located in Central Asia, is home to ancient historical sites like Merv, a major Silk Road city and UNESCO World Heritage site. The modern nation gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and is known for its vast desert landscapes and significant natural gas reserves.
AFC Champions League 2
The AFC Champions League 2 is a professional football club competition organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), serving as the continent’s second-tier tournament. It was established in 2024, replacing the previous AFC Cup, to create a more streamlined and competitive club structure beneath the top-tier AFC Champions League Elite.
Al-Fateh
Al-Fateh is a prominent mosque located in Manama, Bahrain, and one of the largest in the world. It was built in 1987 and named after Ahmed Al Fateh, the founder of Bahrain in the 18th century, and its iconic structure is made from Italian marble and features a massive fiberglass dome.
Roshin Saudi League
The Roshn Saudi League is the top professional football division in Saudi Arabia, founded in 1976. It has grown significantly in recent years due to major investments, attracting high-profile international players and increasing its global profile.
Al-Riyadh
Al-Riyadh, commonly known as Riyadh, is the capital and largest city of Saudi Arabia. Historically a walled oasis town and the historic seat of the Al Saud dynasty, it transformed into a modern metropolis following the discovery of oil in the region. It now serves as the nation’s political, administrative, and financial center.
Al-Ittihad
Al-Ittihad is a historic football club based in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, founded in 1927. It is one of the most successful and popular clubs in the country and Asia, with a rich history of winning numerous domestic and continental titles, including multiple AFC Champions League trophies.
Saudi Professional League
The Saudi Professional League is the top division of professional football in Saudi Arabia, founded in 1976. It has grown to become one of the most prominent leagues in Asia, with its clubs achieving significant success in continental competitions like the AFC Champions League.
Benzema
Karim Benzema is a French professional footballer who plays as a striker. He is best known for his long and successful career at Real Madrid, where he won numerous trophies and became the club’s second-highest all-time goalscorer. Benzema also won the Ballon d’Or award in 2022 after a standout season.
Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal is a professional football club based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, founded in 1957. It is one of Asia’s most successful clubs, with a record number of Saudi Pro League titles and Asian Champions League trophies. The club has a deep-rooted rivalry with Al-Nassr and is historically associated with the city and the royal family.
