Cristiano Ronaldo refused to play for Al-Nassr because of Karim Benzema’s move to Al-Hilal, sparking speculation over his future and whether he could return to Manchester United
Cristiano Ronaldo’s future has come under intense scrutiny following his contentious stand-off in Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo, who celebrates his 41st birthday on Thursday, declined to feature for Al-Nassr in their 1-0 win against Al-Riyadh on Monday after becoming incensed by Karim Benzema’s transfer to title challengers Al-Hilal. Benzema, Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid colleague, had his Al-Ittihad deal cancelled before securing a free transfer to Al-Hilal, who sit one point clear of Al-Nassr at the top of the Saudi Pro League.
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) owns all three sides, and Ronaldo is frustrated that the transfer was approved, believing the acquisition of the French forward has unfairly strengthened Al-Hilal’s championship challenge. The circumstances have triggered questions about whether Ronaldo will complete the remaining 18 months of his £488,000-per-day agreement with Al-Nassr.
Could the five-time Ballon d’Or recipient make a remarkable third return to Manchester United? Not according to his former colleague, Wes Brown, who told BettingLounge: “He’s not happy, but would Cristiano Ronaldo come back to Manchester United for a third go? I would say no. I can’t see how that could happen.
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“A move to MLS? Maybe. Maybe he goes back to Portugal and plays there. I’m sure he will still have so many options.
“The main thing is that he still wants to play in the World Cup, and he would have to keep playing and making sure he keeps himself fit to do that. It’s a shock to everyone to see Ronaldo on strike, but I honestly think it will get resolved. We’ll have to wait and see where it goes from here.”
Neither Ronaldo nor any of his teammates and coaching staff have issued public statements following Monday’s victory. Head coach Jorge Jesus had his post-match press conference cancelled, with the squad told not to engage with journalists.
Al-Nassr are next in action on Friday, welcoming Al-Ittihad, though Ronaldo’s participation remains uncertain. Meanwhile, Al-Hilal will take on bottom-dwellers Al-Akhdoud on home soil.
The table-toppers have offered Al-Nassr a glimmer of opportunity in recent weeks, sharing the spoils in their previous two outings. A failure to overcome Al-Akhdoud would give Al-Nassr the chance to claim top spot, having last lifted the trophy in 2019, well before Ronaldo’s switch from United in 2022.
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
