Ronaldo stages a strike at Al Nassr.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the star forward for Al Nassr, has reportedly gone on strike, refusing to play for the Saudi Pro League side due to increasing frustration with the club’s management and financial support.

According to Sky Sports on Monday, the dramatic development unfolded as Al Nassr faced Al Riyadh, with Ronaldo absent from both the starting lineup and the substitutes’ bench.

The choice to leave out the 40-year-old star, a major attraction in the since arriving in 2023, is widely viewed as a clear protest against the club’s management.

Ronaldo’s frustration is thought to stem from what he perceives as uneven backing from the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns majority stakes in four of the league’s top clubs: Al Nassr, Al Hilal, Al Ahli, and Al Ittihad.

Ronaldo reportedly feels that Al Nassr is being shortchanged in terms of financial investment compared to its rivals.

“While clubs like Al Hilal, Al Ahli, and Al Ittihad have been actively strengthening their squads with high-profile signings, Al Nassr’s activity in the transfer window has been limited.

“The club’s only major acquisition has been an 18-year-old Iraqi midfielder, a move Ronaldo reportedly considers insufficient for a team that aims to compete for the title.

“The striker is also said to be unhappy with how the club is being run, adding to a sense of frustration as Al Nassr continues to chase its first Saudi Pro League title since Ronaldo’s arrival,” Sky Sports added.

Reports have surfaced from news outlets that Ronaldo will not be playing in today’s league match, even though he is fully fit.