Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to training with Al Nassr, arriving at the club’s training facility on Wednesday afternoon and potentially bringing an end to his recent absence from Saudi Pro League action.
The 40-year-old Portuguese superstar was seen at the team’s base around 1:30 p.m. local time, nearly two hours before the official start of the session, as preparations continued for Friday’s league encounter against Al Ettifaq.
Ronaldo’s recent unavailability, including his absence from Al Nassr’s 20th-round fixture against Al Riyadh, had triggered intense speculation. Reports claimed the forward declined to feature amid growing frustration following Karim Benzema’s headline move to rivals Al Hilal, amid concerns over perceived preferential treatment within the league.
The situation has reignited debate about competitive balance in the Saudi Pro League, with questions raised over the role of the Kingdom’s Ministry of Sport and the influence of private investors in shaping transfer outcomes.
Al Nassr head coach Jorge Jesus, who previously managed Al Hilal, has been careful in his public remarks, though his comments have reflected similar concerns to those reportedly held by Ronaldo.
Meanwhile, Al Hilal have continued their aggressive recruitment drive, adding high-profile names such as Benzema and Darwin Núñez to their squad. These moves are believed to be supported by billionaire Prince Alwaleed bin Talal.
Financial figures underline the growing disparity between the two clubs. Since Ronaldo’s arrival in Saudi Arabia, Al Hilal’s total transfer spending has reportedly climbed to €647 million, compared to Al Nassr’s €410 million.
Whether Ronaldo will return to competitive action when Al Nassr face Al Ettifaq on Friday remains uncertain, with his availability yet to be confirmed.
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