Renowned journalist Sacha Tavoleri has provided a new update on the recent crisis between Cristiano Ronaldo and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) regarding Al-Nassr’s winter transfer window.
Ronaldo did not participate in Al-Nassr’s match against Al-Riyadh, in what was seen as a protest against Al-Nassr’s failure to make new signings, while the PIF helped Al-Hilal acquire new players, most recently by facilitating Karim Benzema’s transfer to the Blue Wave.
According to the latest report, the Saudi Ministry of Sport blocked Benzema’s transfer to Al-Hilal due to Ronaldo’s stance. However, the Portuguese legend remains furious about the way the winter transfer window has unfolded and the failure to bolster Al-Nassr with the players requested by coach Jorge Jesus.
The point of contention for Ronaldo is Al-Waleed bin Talal, who is set to acquire Al-Hilal next June and can use his personal funds to make major signings, while Al-Nassr is under the direct management of the PIF, which restricts its financial ability in the current transfer market.
The mechanism for resolving the current crisis remains unclear, especially as Ronaldo has begun hinting at leaving Al-Nassr at the end of the season. This comes after the Portuguese newspaper Record, owned by the 40-year-old, reported that his contract grants him the freedom to leave in June.
It’s worth noting that Al-Nassr fans showed their support for Ronaldo during the Riyadh match, chanting his name in the seventh minute to affirm the validity of his decision to boycott and express his anger towards the club’s owners.
