Latest Rumors on Cristiano Ronaldo's Relationship with Al Nassr, Manager amid Transfer Buzz

Cristiano Ronaldo's absence for Al Nassr's Saudi Pro League match against Al Riyadh on Monday came down to the forward reportedly being "unhappy with PIF's (Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund) lack of transfer activity at the club compared to other clubs owned by the fund," per ESPN's Bruno Andrade.

According to that report, Ronaldo is "said to be frustrated that Al Nassr have failed to add significant reinforcements in their push for the title," especially with Al Nassr's rival, Al Hilal, reportedly close to adding striker Karim Benzema.

Andrade reported that Ronaldo's absence on Monday was not due to an injury or falling out of favor with manager Jorge Jesus.

Multiple other reports suggested that Ronaldo's absence was down to his displeasure with the team's lack of transfer business.

It sounds as though Ronaldo isn't the only person at the club frustrated with the situation.

"I spoke about the winter period. We don't have any openings for foreign players, and the financial situation at Al-Nassr is not good and doesn't allow it—I hope that one or two, maybe three players can join us," Jesus previously told reporters.

While Al Nassr signed Haydeer Abdulkareem in the January window, Al Hilal have brought aboard Mohamed Meïté, Pablo Marí, Murad Al Hawsawi and Sultan Mandash and are closing in on Benzema.

Al Nassr's 1-0 win on Monday temporarily drew them even with Al Hilal atop the Saudi Pro League table, though Al Hilal would go back on top with a draw or win later in the day.

Ronaldo, 40, remains arguably the league's biggest star and is tied for second in scoring (17 goals) behind only Al Ahli's Ivan Toney (18 goals). He is paid like it, reportedly earning a $230 million in the 2025-26 season, the sort of massive outlay that perhaps has some bearing on how much the club is willing to spend elsewhere on the roster.

Al Nassr has gone fairly top heavy while building out its roster. Sadio Mané, for instance, is reportedly earning around a $50 million salary himself. Ronaldo and Mané are two of the four highest-paid players in the Saudi Pro League.