Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Al Nassr training on Thursday, marking his 41st birthday with a mix of celebration and high tension following a reported fallout with the club’s hierarchy. The Portuguese superstar’s appearance at the Al-Awwal Park training ground comes just 24 hours before a critical Saudi Pro League showdown against Al Ittihad, effectively ending a brief "strike" that saw him miss Monday’s match against Al Riyadh.

While the club posted a celebratory tribute on social media hailing their captain—captioning it “The legend only grows”—the atmosphere in Riyadh remains charged. Ronaldo’s return to the pitch offers a glimmer of hope for Al Nassr fans, but the underlying issues regarding the Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) winter transfer strategy continue to cast a long shadow over the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

Ronaldo Returns: A Birthday Truce?

On Thursday morning, February 5, Ronaldo was spotted participating in team drills, signaling a potential truce ahead of Friday’s crucial fixture. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner later posted a photo on X (formerly Twitter) showing himself controlling the ball, accompanied by blue and yellow heart emojis—a subtle message of commitment to the fans, if not the management.

This return follows a tumultuous start to the week where Ronaldo reportedly refused to play in the 1-0 victory over Al Riyadh. Sources close to the situation indicated the absence was not injury-related but a calculated protest against what he perceives as "unfair treatment" by the league's central recruitment, the PIF.

The Benzema Transfer Sparked the Fire

The core of Ronaldo's dissatisfaction appears to stem from a glaring disparity in winter reinforcements. While Al Nassr’s title rivals have strengthened significantly, Ronaldo’s side has been left relatively stagnant. The tipping point for the Al Nassr captain was reportedly the shock transfer of his former Real Madrid teammate, Karim Benzema, from Al Ittihad to league leaders Al Hilal.

Al Hilal, who currently sit just ahead of Al Nassr in the title race, not only secured Benzema but also added former Arsenal defender Pablo Marí and Rennes striker Mohamed Kader Meïté. In stark contrast, Al Nassr’s only winter addition was 21-year-old Iraqi midfielder Hayder Abdulkareem. This lack of investment has reportedly left Ronaldo feeling that the PIF is prioritizing Al Hilal’s dominance over Al Nassr’s competitive needs.

Comparison of Winter Signings

  • Al Hilal: Karim Benzema (Forward), Pablo Marí (Defender), Mohamed Kader Meïté (Striker)
  • Al Nassr: Hayder Abdulkareem (Midfielder)

High Stakes: The Al Ittihad Showdown

The timing of the fallout could not be more critical. Al Nassr faces Al Ittihad on Friday in a match that could define the title race. With Al Hilal continuing to surge, Al Nassr cannot afford to drop points. Questions remain about Ronaldo’s mental state and whether head coach Jorge Jesus will immediately reinstate him to the starting XI after the disciplinary breach.

Despite Al Ittihad losing Benzema, they remain a formidable opponent, and the "Saudi El Clásico" atmosphere will be intense. Ronaldo, who is chasing his historic 1,000th career goal (currently sitting at 961), knows that delivering on the pitch is the only way to silence the noise off it.

Contract Rumors and Summer Exit?

While the immediate fire may be doused, the smoke signals point to a potential summer exit. Reports from Portuguese outlet Record suggest that Ronaldo is seriously considering exercising a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave in June 2026, a year before his deal officially expires in 2027.

Speculation is already mounting about his next destination, with Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami—potentially linking him with Lionel Messi—and a romantic return to Sporting CP being touted as the most likely options. For now, however, Ronaldo remains in Riyadh, 41 years old and still the center of the footballing universe, with a point to prove this Friday.