'Forty-Year-Old Who Is Going Through...': Fans Take Dig At Ronaldo After Absence During Al Nassr Win

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence from Al Nassr’s 1-0 win over Al Riyadh has landed the forward in hot water, with fans taking a dig at the former Manchester United player.

In a massive episode of fan banter, fans of Al-Hilal posted notices across certain streets in Saudi Arabia after the 40-year-old was absent from Al Nassr’s latest game after reports suggesting that he wasn’t happy with the club’s activities, or the lack thereof, in the transfer market.

“This is a forty-year-old who is going through the obligation of excessive crying, and his family is looking for him,” the notice read.

Although no official reason was given, reports indicate that the 40-year-old is dissatisfied with the club’s management and, more importantly,

its financial backing.

The core issue is funding. Ronaldo believes Al Nassr is not receiving the same level of financial support as other Public Investment Fund (PIF)-controlled clubs like Al Hilal, Al Ahli, and Al Ittihad.

This belief was reinforced when Al Hilal signed Karim Benzema, while Al Nassr’s only January acquisition was young Iraqi midfielder Hayder Abdulkareem. For a player who is still motivated by winning trophies, this disparity is significant.

Al Hilal currently leads the table by one point, and Ronaldo had hoped for a more proactive transfer window to aid his pursuit of his first Saudi league title.

Saudi officials have urged Ronaldo to return to action, expressing surprise at his dissatisfaction given his record-breaking contract, which is reportedly worth nearly £500,000 a day.

From their viewpoint, league funding is equal across PIF clubs, and Al Nassr’s quieter January is due to the £100 million already spent this season and strict sustainability regulations.

However, perception often matters as much as reality. Ronaldo has been heavily involved in club matters since his arrival, making his current discontent all the more notable.

Ronaldo’s contract includes a €50 million summer release clause. With 18 months left and his 41st birthday approaching, Ronaldo may decide this is the right time to choose his final chapter, rather than just seeing out the contract.

For now, Saudi football officials insist nothing has changed. But with Ronaldo’s silence becoming more pronounced, the question isn’t just whether he will play next weekend — it’s whether his Saudi Pro League era is quietly nearing its end.