Former Real Madrid teammate and current SPL rival Karim Benzema has left Cristiano Ronaldo upset, according to reports.
Two of the world’s most popular footballers have sent Saudi football into a frenzy on the final day of the midyear transfer window.
Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and French football icon Karim Benzema, who both play in the Saudi Pro League (SPL), were in the news on Monday for their off-field actions.
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Star forward Benzema moved from Al-Ittihad to Al Hilal, with the transfer confirmed hours after Ronaldo was not named for Al-Nasr’s SPL game against Al Riyadh.
Here’s what happened on transfer deadline day in the SPL:
Why did Benzema move from Al-Ittihad to Al Hilal?
With Al Hilal being the most successful club in Saudi football and the current league leaders, the former Ballon d’Or winner’s move is seen as ambitious.
Despite winning the SPL with Al-Ittihad last year, the 38-year-old wants to join a club that has won 21 league titles and four Asian Championships.
Coached by two-time Champions League finalist Simone Inzaghi, they beat Manchester City 4-3 in last year’s FIFA Club World Cup to knock out Pep Guardiola’s side.
The record-breaking Saudi champions took to social media to announce Benzema’s arrival with fanfare.
Why did Ronaldo miss Al-Nasr’s game on Monday?
Ronaldo was absent from Al-Nasr’s SPL match against Al-Riyadh, as he is unhappy with the transfer situation at his club.
Ronaldo has scored 17 goals for the club this season.
Portuguese media outlet A Bola reported that the five-time Ballon d’Or winners are unhappy that Al-Nasr has not strengthened their squad as they challenge for the league title.
The Portuguese superstar forward decided to withdraw himself from head coach Jorge Jesus’ side as Al-Nasr, who are second in the SPL table, did not make a significant move before the transfer window closed.
Going into the game, Al-Nasr were in second place behind Al Hilal, which is also backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), and has been linked with Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema.
How does Benzema’s move relate to Ronaldo?
Benzema’s transfer from the previous SPL champions to the most successful club is seen as a major threat to Ronaldo’s hopes of becoming league champions, despite top footballers – including Benzema – being lured to the Saudi league.
Ronaldo, who turned 41 on Thursday, has scored 91 goals in 95 league appearances for Al-Nasr since arriving in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh in January 2023.
SPL leaders Al Hilal are one point ahead of Ronaldo’s Al-Nasr.
The former Real Madrid striker, a teammate of Spanish legend Ronaldo, led Al-Etihad to the title as well as the King’s Cup last year.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo is still waiting for his first league title after moving to Saudi Arabia in 2022 and the addition of five-time Champions League winner Benzema has seen his main rival strengthened.
What has Al-Nassr said about Ronaldo and could he leave the club?
Al-Nasr CEO Jose Semedo declined to comment, according to Saudi media.
Ronaldo is not injured, sick or in Jesus’ favor, ESPN reported.
They have no plans to let go of Al-Nasr, who signed him to a lucrative two-year contract extension in June 2025.
According to CBS Sports, senior club officials understand Ronaldo’s displeasure with PIF, the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund that owns Al-Nasr, Al Hilal and two other Pro League sides.
Can Al-Nasr still sign more players to appease Ronaldo?
Saudi football’s transfer window closed on Monday night, ending any hope of further transfer activity until the end of the current season.