Saudi League Warns Ronaldo Amid Doubts Over Future

In a connection issued to BBC Sport, a Saudi Pro League spokesperson said: "The Saudi Pro League is system astir a elemental principle: each nine operates independently nether nan aforesaid rules.

"Clubs person their ain boards, their ain executives and their ain shot leadership. Decisions connected recruitment, spending and strategy beryllium pinch those clubs, wrong a financial model designed to guarantee sustainability and competitory balance. That model applies arsenic crossed nan league."

Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr successful 2022 aft leaving Manchester United mid-season, becoming nan best-paid subordinate successful shot history pinch an yearly net of £177m, but has only won nan Arab Club Champions Cup pinch them.

The five-time Ballon d'Or victor signed a caller two-year contract successful June 2025.

Before he agreed nan caller deal, however, location was speculation he mightiness time off Al-Nassr pinch a indebtedness move to rivals Al-Hilal among those touted.

"Cristiano has been afloat engaged pinch Al-Nassr since his presence and has played an important domiciled successful nan club's maturation and ambition," added nan Saudi Pro League spokesperson. "Like immoderate elite competitor, he wants to win.

"But nary individual - nevertheless important - determines decisions beyond their ain club.

"Recent transportation activity demonstrates that independency clearly. One nine strengthened successful a peculiar way. Another chose a different approach. Those were nine decisions, taken wrong approved financial parameters."

Al-Nassr only signed Iraq Under-23 midfielder Hayder Abdulkareem successful nan January transportation window.

Al-Hilal are unbeaten successful nan convention this play and lead pinch 50 points aft 20 games, while Al-Nassr are 4 points down successful 3rd place, though they person a crippled successful hand.

The Saudi Pro League spokesperson said: "The competitiveness of nan convention speaks for itself. With only a fewer points separating nan apical four, nan title title is very overmuch alive. That level of equilibrium reflects a strategy that is moving arsenic intended.

"The attraction remains connected shot - connected nan pitch, wherever it belongs - and connected maintaining a credible, competitory title for players and fans."