United News of Bangladesh

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a second straight match for Al-Nassr as questions continue over his future at the Saudi club. Al-Nassr beat rivals Al-Ittihad 2-0 in the Saudi Pro League on Friday, scoring two late goals through former Liverpool star Sadio Mane and Angelo Gabriel. Ronaldo was not included in the squad for the match. During the game, some home supporters showed their backing for the Portuguese star by holding yellow cards with his name and number seven in the seventh minute. Ronaldo, now 41, also sat out Al-Nassr’s 1-0 league win over Al-Riyadh on Monday. Portuguese outlet ‘A Bola’reported that Ronaldo refused to play after becoming unhappy with the way the club is being run by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). In response, the Saudi Pro League told BBC Sport that Ronaldo has played a key role in raising the club’s profile and goals, but added that “no individual  however significant determines decisions beyond their own club”. Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in December 2022 after leaving Manchester United and became the highest-paid footballer in history, earning about £177 million a year. The club, which has won the Saudi Pro League 10 times, described his signing as “history in the making”. Cristiano Ronaldo turns 41: How the superstar built a brand beyond football However, since joining, Ronaldo has won only one trophy  the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023. He signed a new two-year contract with Al-Nassr in June 2025. Both Al-Nassr and league leaders Al-Hilal are owned by the PIF. BBC Sport reported that Ronaldo may be frustrated by Karim Benzema’s recent move to Al-Hilal. Benzema scored a hat-trick on his debut in a 6-0 win on Thursday. After 20 matches, Al-Nassr sit second in the table, just one point behind Al-Hilal.