Ronaldo Benched Again: The Saudi Pro League Saga Deepens
The **Saudi Pro League** is ablaze with controversy as **Cristiano Ronaldo**, the sport's biggest name, has been left out of the **Al-Nassr** squad for the second consecutive match. This isn't just a squad rotation; it's a dramatic stand-off that has fans and pundits asking: what's truly going on with **CR7**?
Key Points:
- **Cristiano Ronaldo** was notably absent from the **Al-Nassr** lineup against **Al-Ittihad**.
- This marks his second straight omission, following a previous benching against **Al-Riyadh**.
- Reports suggest **Ronaldo** feels "betrayed" by the **Public Investment Fund (PIF)** and the league's transfer policies.
- The **Saudi Pro League** has issued a strong statement asserting club independence and competitive balance.
CR7 Sidelined Again Amid Growing Tensions
The football world watched as **Al-Nassr** officially confirmed **Cristiano Ronaldo**'s absence from their crucial clash against **Al-Ittihad** on Friday night. This marks the second time in a week the five-time **Ballon d'Or** winner has been excluded, having also missed the fixture against **Al-Riyadh** where **Al-Nassr** still secured all **three points** thanks to **Sadio Mané**'s decisive **40th-minute** strike.
Despite the absence of their talismanic captain, **Al-Nassr** still boasts significant attacking firepower. Players like **Marcelo Brozovic**, **Kingsley Coman**, **Sadio Mané**, and **Joao Felix** were all in the starting lineup, demonstrating the squad's depth even without **Ronaldo**.
The "Betrayal" Theory: Ronaldo vs. the League
The root of this escalating drama reportedly stems from **Ronaldo**'s belief that the **PIF** has shown favoritism towards other clubs in the fiercely contested **Saudi Pro League** title race. Specifically, the Portuguese superstar is said to be irked by the decision to facilitate **Karim Benzema**'s high-profile move from **Al-Ittihad** to **Al-Hilal**, a direct rival of **Al-Nassr**.
The League's Firm Response
In response to the mounting speculation and **Ronaldo**'s alleged grievances, the **Saudi Pro League** issued a clear and unequivocal statement. It emphasized that all clubs operate independently, each with its own boards, executives, and football leadership, and that transfer decisions are made within approved financial parameters to ensure sustainability and competitive balance.
The statement firmly declared, "No individual - however significant - determines decisions beyond their own club." It highlighted that the league's competitiveness, with only a few points separating the top four, is proof of a system that is functioning as intended, maintaining focus on the "football - on the pitch, where it belongs."
What's Next for the Record-Breaking Goalscorer?
This latest squad omission casts a long shadow over **Cristiano Ronaldo**'s immediate future with **Al-Nassr**. Reports suggest the **Euro 2016** winner has even threatened a summer departure, feeling "betrayed" by recent events, despite being seen in training recently.
**Ronaldo** is famously pursuing the monumental feat of **1,000 career goals**, currently sitting at **961 efforts** following his last strike on **January 30** in a **3-0 victory** over **Al-Kholood**. These missed games, however, are costing him valuable time in that historic chase.
Former Premier League midfielder **Stefan Schwarz** commented on the situation, acknowledging **Ronaldo**'s incredible professionalism but questioning his recent actions. "He is a tremendous professional... But he is like any player with a contract. He has to perform... his actions are strange to me," **Schwarz** stated.
Title Race Heats Up as Al-Nassr Fights On
The drama surrounding **Ronaldo** unfolds against the backdrop of a thrilling **Saudi Pro League** title race. Just days ago, **Karim Benzema** scored a stunning **hat-trick** on his debut for **Al-Hilal**, propelling them to a dominant **6-0 win** and a **three-point** lead at the top of the table.
**Al-Nassr** now faces immense pressure to secure a victory against **Al-Ittihad** to draw level with their rivals, albeit having played an additional game. The question remains: can **Al-Nassr** maintain their title challenge without their biggest star, and how will this unprecedented stand-off ultimately conclude for **Cristiano Ronaldo** and the league?
