Senior Saudi football officials now expect Cristiano Ronaldo to end his strike and play against Al Ittihad on Friday.
Ronaldo has pondered his future in Saudi Arabia amid concerns over the financial support Al Nasr receives compared to other clubs.
His return to the game has not been confirmed, but officials hope he has made his point and Friday’s game will be too big for him to miss. He is also contractually obligated to play unless injured.
Officials are surprised he is unhappy – despite earning £500,000 a day – and want him to play against Al Ittihad on Friday.
He has 18 months left on his contract but has a £43m (€50m) summer release clause – even though he turns 41 on Thursday.
Al Nasr could top the SPL on Friday.
Saudi officials believe Ronaldo is still in Riyadh despite reports he has flown to Portugal.
Al Nasr’s official X account posted pictures of his teammates and manager Jorge Jesus on Wednesday, but there have been no pictures of Ronaldo so far since Sunday.
Ronaldo was missing from his side’s Saudi Pro League win over Al Riyadh on Monday – and Ski Sports News it was said that the star is unhappy with the management of the club.
The 40-year-old believes that Al Nasr does not receive the same financial support as the three other clubs owned by the Saudi PIF fund – Al Hilal, Al Ahly and Al Ittihad.
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Highlights of the Saudi Pro League match between Al-Riyadh and Al-Nasr.
Ronaldo is furious that Al Hilal signed Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad, while the only addition to Al Nassr’s squad in the January window was young Iraqi midfielder Haider Abdulkareem.
Al Hilal lead Al Nasr by one point at the top of the Saudi Pro League and Ronaldo wanted his club to be more ambitious during the period as they look to win the title for the first time in Saudi Arabia.
Although he believes that the PIF gives its other clubs preferential treatment, football in Saudi Arabia has opened up and clubs are now being bought by investors.
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Sky Sports’ Kave Solhecol discusses why Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to be on strike at Al Nasr, with the Portuguese striker not in the squad for Monday’s match against Al Riyadh.
Benzema’s move to Al Hilal is not financed by the league or the PIF, but by private billionaire Saudi investor Prince Alwaleed bin Talal. There is nothing stopping Al Nasr from signing more players with the backing of private investors.
From the Saudi perspective, Ronaldo retains their full support and nothing has changed.
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Cristiano Ronaldo scores for Al Nasr in the Saudi Pro League match at Al Kholud.
He has been involved in the club at all levels with his team and they have gone through all the transfer and investment options, which is why it is surprising that he is so unhappy.
The SPL believe their league is a fair fight and there is still everything to play for this season. Funding provided by the league is clear and fair across all PIF clubs.
If Al Nasr were not active in January, it is because they have already spent £100m this season.
The league’s financial regulations and funding through the Player Acquisition Center of Excellence are designed to maintain integrity, ensure the league and clubs are sustainable and competitive.