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After missing consecutive league matches due to his protest against Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Al Nassr's starting lineup against Al Fateh on Saturday, Feb. 14.
Having not featured for Al Nassr since its 3-0 win at Al Kholood on Jan. 30, the Portuguese superstar has not been in the lineup after being upset over the lack of investment from PIF, the club's owner.
In addition to Al Nassr, PIF is also the majority owner of three other Saudi clubs: Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad.
Ronaldo was particularly irate after rival Al Hilal made some significant signings during the winter transfer window.
The biggest transaction for Al Hilal was bringing in Ronaldo's former Real Madrid attacking partner, Karim Benzema, from Al Ittihad.
Despite Ronaldo's best attempt to block Benzema's move to Al Hilal, it was ultimately unsuccessful. Since his arrival in Riyadh, the Frenchman has scored three goals in two matches, notching a hat-trick in his first match at the club, a 6-0 thrashing over Al Akhdoud.
Currently, Al Nassr sits four points behind Al Hilal as it attempts to win Ronaldo's first Saudi Pro League title since he arrived in 2023.
Ronaldo, who is currently third in the league's Golden Boot race with 17, is 39 goals away from the 1000-goal mark.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cristiano Ronaldo ends strike as Al Nassr forward starts vs. Al Fateh
Continue reading...
Having not featured for Al Nassr since its 3-0 win at Al Kholood on Jan. 30, the Portuguese superstar has not been in the lineup after being upset over the lack of investment from PIF, the club's owner.
In addition to Al Nassr, PIF is also the majority owner of three other Saudi clubs: Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Ittihad.
Ronaldo was particularly irate after rival Al Hilal made some significant signings during the winter transfer window.
The biggest transaction for Al Hilal was bringing in Ronaldo's former Real Madrid attacking partner, Karim Benzema, from Al Ittihad.
Despite Ronaldo's best attempt to block Benzema's move to Al Hilal, it was ultimately unsuccessful. Since his arrival in Riyadh, the Frenchman has scored three goals in two matches, notching a hat-trick in his first match at the club, a 6-0 thrashing over Al Akhdoud.
Currently, Al Nassr sits four points behind Al Hilal as it attempts to win Ronaldo's first Saudi Pro League title since he arrived in 2023.
Ronaldo, who is currently third in the league's Golden Boot race with 17, is 39 goals away from the 1000-goal mark.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cristiano Ronaldo ends strike as Al Nassr forward starts vs. Al Fateh
Continue reading...
