CRISTIANO RONALDO has been warned “no individual determines decisions beyond their own club” after going on strike at Al-Nassr.
The football superstar, 40, has refused to play for the Middle East outfit in protest at his team’s financial backing compared to other Saudi sides.
The Manchester United legend was nowhere to be seen as Al-Nassr secured a 1-0 win over Al-Riyadh on Monday.
Ronaldo was incensed that Haydeer Abdulkareem, 21, was the club’s only signing of the mid-season transfer window, despite manager Jorge Jesus pleading for more recruits.
Meanwhile, rivals Al-Hilal splashed out £26m each on Kader Meite and Saimon Bouabre, while also prising Pablo Mari from Fiorentina – and a free transfer swoop for ex-Real Madrid star Karim Benzema.
But the league defended the business by claiming each club operated independently.
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A statement read: “The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules.
“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.”
They boldly insisted no player – no matter their stature – could affect top level decisions.
“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.”
Ronaldo has revamped the Saudi Pro League since his 2022 switch to Al-Nassr – where he earns a reported £488,000-a-DAY.
He has paved the way for a number of high-profile transfers to the league, including Benzema, Neymar, Darwin Nunez, Ruben Neves and Sadio Mane.
Ronaldo is expected to return to Al-Nassr on Friday, with Sky Sports reporting officials are confident he will end his strike and play against rivals Al-Ittihad.
Al-Nassr are shocked that the Portugal captain is unhappy and are desperate for him to come back into the fray.
They are hopeful Ronaldo will return and continue his incredible goalscoring form that has seen him only fail to score in four matches.
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