Cristiano Ronaldo is back with Al Nassr, and he's ready to play. The superstar striker posted training photos on X with the caption "Locked in" on Friday, signaling his return to the squad.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano confirmed Ronaldo will be available for Saturday's Saudi Pro League match against Al Fateh. That's good news for Al Nassr, who desperately need points in their title chase.
But why did Ronaldo miss three games in the first place? According to ESPN's Bruno Andrade, the 41-year-old wasn't happy with his club's transfer activity. Or rather, the lack of it.
Transfer Window Drama
Ronaldo reportedly chose to sit out Al Nassr's 1-0 win over Al Riyadh on February 2nd. He was frustrated that the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund wasn't backing Al Nassr as much as other clubs they own.
He also missed wins against Al Ittihad (2-0) and Arkadag (1-0) in the AFC Champions League Two. The breaking point? Rival club Al Hilal signing Karim Benzema while Al Nassr stood pat.
It's not hard to understand Ronaldo's frustration. Al Nassr are chasing a title, but they're not getting the reinforcements he thinks they need. For bettors, this kind of squad tension matters when placing money on Al Nassr's matches.
Where Al Nassr Stand Now
The club currently sits third in the Saudi Pro League table. They're four points behind league leaders Al Hilal and one point behind second-place Al Ahli. With plenty of games left, the title race is still wide open.
Ronaldo's return couldn't come at a better time. Despite being 41 years old, he's still a goal machine. He's scored 18 goals in 22 matches this season. Last season, he bagged 35 goals in 41 games.
The Portuguese legend joined Al Nassr in 2022 after stints at Real Madrid, Juventus, and Manchester United. But team success has been elusive. They've finished second twice and third once in the league during his time there.
Now with Ronaldo back in the fold, Al Nassr have a real chance to close that four-point gap. His presence alone changes how teams defend and how bettors view Al Nassr's title odds. Saturday's match against Al Fateh will be the first test of whether this drama is behind them.
