Cristiano Ronaldo to make Al-Nassr return with comeback date confirmed

Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly ready to end his strike at Al-Nassr as he prepares to return for the Saudi Arabian club.

The former Manchester United forward has not played the last two games, as he decides to stage a protest over his club transfer dealings in January. Al-Nassr only signed a youth player, while title rivals Al-Hilal were allowed to sign Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad.

PIF owns all three clubs, and Ronaldo was left furious about his team inability to sign a top player.

According to A Bola, Ronaldo is now set to return. The report claim Ronaldo is back in training and’ Nassr have pencilled in his return date, against Al-Fateh next weekend.

Nassr play Arkadag in Turkmenistan in the Asian Champions League 2 in midweek, but Ronaldo is not set to play in that fixture.

Nassr football supporters hold placards showing the number and name of Cristiano Ronaldo. (Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP via Getty Images)

A Bola also claim Ronaldo was angry about payments to workers at Nassr being delayed. Now, Nassr are said to have agreed to pay up, with the power struggle ending with a victory for the forward.

Ronaldo has reportedly threatened to leave Nassr but it is unclear if new political machinations behind the scenes will convince him to stay.

However, Saudi Pro League bosses during Ronaldo’s protest reminded the Portuguese that every club in their division operates independently, meaning that the all-time great should raise any issues with his own employers – rather than potentially damage the reputation of the league as a whole.

“The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules,” they said in a statement.

“Clubs have their own boards, their own executives and their own football leadership. Decisions on recruitment, spending and strategy sit with those clubs, within a financial framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance. That framework applies equally across the league.

“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.

“Recent transfer activity demonstrates that independence clearly. One club strengthened in a particular way. Another chose a different approach. Those were club decisions, taken within approved financial parameters.

“The competitiveness of the league speaks for itself. With only a few points separating the top four, the title race is very much alive. That level of balance reflects a system that is working as intended.

“The focus remains on football – on the pitch, where it belongs – and on maintaining a credible, competitive competition for players and fans.”