Cristiano Ronaldo to captain Al Nassr after three-game absence
Cristiano Ronaldo will end his three-game absence and captain Al Nassr on Saturday, rejoining the squad after a dispute over how the club is being managed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). The 41-year-old’s return brings an immediate leadership boost as Al Nassr chase domestic honours.
Return confirmed ahead of Al Fateh trip
Ronaldo is set to start and wear the captain’s armband for Al Nassr’s trip to Al Fateh on Saturday (ET). The forward missed two league matches and a cup tie over recent weeks while pressing the club for answers about its operations and transfer activity. Team preparations this week suggested the break in hostilities has been bridged and that Ronaldo will lead the team out.
Dispute centred on PIF management and rival spending
The heart of the disagreement was frustration with how the club is being run under the umbrella of the Public Investment Fund. Ronaldo believed Al Nassr were not being supported to the same degree as some rivals, particularly after high-profile signings elsewhere in the league during the January window. That frustration boiled over into his absence, which the league publicly criticised as damaging to the competition’s image.
Club response and image management
League officials took a firm stance, stressing that no single individual determines decisions beyond their club and warning that the dispute risked distracting from the season. Club officials have been working to contain the fallout, emphasising that internal assurances were provided to the captain ahead of his return. Al Nassr also sent an unmistakable signal to fans by placing the captain’s armband next to Ronaldo’s shirt in the dressing room ahead of the match.
How the absence affected Al Nassr on the pitch
Al Nassr managed to continue picking up results while Ronaldo was out, keeping their momentum in the title race. The team’s depth and resilience were on display as they navigated a congested schedule without their marquee forward. With Ronaldo back in the lineup, Al Nassr will look to regain any attacking edge they felt was missing and challenge for top honours as the season progresses.
Wider implications for the Saudi Pro League
The episode underscores tensions that can arise when multiple top clubs are overseen by a single major investor. Questions about parity, player acquisitions and competitive balance have been amplified by big-money transfers across the league. The resolution of this standoff will be closely watched, both for its immediate impact on Al Nassr’s title hopes and for what it signals about governance and resource allocation within the league.
Next steps for Ronaldo and the club
Ronaldo’s return as captain restores a clear focal point for Al Nassr’s attack and leadership group. The coming fixtures present an opportunity for both player and club to move past the controversy and concentrate on results. How relationships evolve behind the scenes will determine whether this is a short-lived flare-up or a more sustained point of contention in the months ahead.
