Even at 41 years old and earning over $240 million per year, Cristiano Ronaldo still wants to win at all costs. You have to respect that competitive fire. But this is getting messy.
The Portuguese superstar was absent from Al Nassr's last match and may miss Friday's game against Al Ittihad after a disagreement over how the club is being managed, according to The Athletic. Ronaldo is reportedly furious that Al Nassr didn't make major signings in January while rival Al Hilal just signed his former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema.
Let me paint the picture. Ronaldo turns 41 today. He's making more money than any footballer in history. And he's essentially holding his club hostage because they won't spend more to compete with their rivals. Meanwhile, his £175 million salary is eating up most of Al Nassr's budget.
Sources at the club say "it's totally impossible to predict" what happens next with Ronaldo, adding "it will be day by day." That's not exactly a ringing endorsement of stability.
Here's what happened: Al Nassr lost to Al Ahli and Al Hilal in January - their two main title rivals. Ronaldo watched as Al Hilal, also majority-owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, strengthened significantly by signing Benzema, 38, from Al Ittihad. In his mind, there are different levels of ambition at the PIF-owned clubs, and Al Nassr isn't showing the same intent.
But here's the thing - and perhaps Ronaldo is overlooking this - his £175 million salary makes it nearly impossible for Al Nassr to compete in the transfer market. You can't pay one player a quarter-billion dollars and then cry about not having money for reinforcements.
Ronaldo has a €50 million release clause that can be triggered this summer. But it's hard to imagine which club in Europe or MLS would compile a significant financial package for a 41-year-old, even one named Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Saudi Pro League wanted star power, and they got it. But they're learning that legends come with egos, demands, and drama. Ronaldo wants equal treatment and operational support for Al Nassr. But when you're the highest-paid player in the world, that's a tough argument to make.
That's what sports is all about, folks - the tension between individual ambition and team reality. And right now, Ronaldo and Al Nassr are at an impasse.
