Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to Al Nassr‘s lineup for Saturday’s match at Al Fateh after boycotting the club’s last two Saudi Pro League matches.
He was named in the starting 11 as the captain, alongside fellow forwards João Félix, Sadio Mané and Kingsley Coman.
ESPN has reported that Ronaldo missed the games against Al Ittihad and Al Riyadh earlier this month over the lack of financial support for the club in the recent transfer window.
Ronaldo was unhappy with the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) for failing to invest in the team while rivals Al Hilal — also 75% majority owned by the PIF — brought in his former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad.
However, sources told ESPN earlier this week that he had decided to return to the pitch for Saturday’s league match after the PIF met his main demands, namely the payment of Al Nassr’s overdue salaries and management autonomy being restored to the club’s top executives.
After his protest began, the Saudi Pro League issued a statement stressing the independence of all clubs to manage their finances as they see fit.
«Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al Nassr since his arrival and has played an important role in the club’s growth and ambition. Like any elite competitor, he wants to win. But no individual — however significant — determines decisions beyond their own club,» the league said.
Al Nassr go into Saturday’s game in third place in the league standings, four points behind leaders Al Hilal, but with a game in hand.
Ronaldo is already three goals behind Ivan Toney in the goalscoring charts.
Ronaldo has scored 17 this season in the league, but Al Qadsiah’s Julián Quiñones has 18 and Al Ahli’s Toney has 20.
