The spotlight at Al-Awwal Park on February 6, 2026, was meant to shine on the stars. Instead, it fell on an empty space.
Cristiano Ronaldo, the face of Al-Nassr vs Al-Ittihad and the most recognizable figure in Saudi football, was nowhere to be seen as his side faced reigning champions Al Ittihad in a high-stakes Saudi Pro League showdown. His absence, now stretching into a second consecutive league match, was not the result of injury, rotation, or fatigue. It was deliberate. And it sent shockwaves through the league.
While Al Nassr ultimately secured a convincing 2-0 victory—thanks to goals from Sadio Mané and Angelo Gabriel—the match itself became secondary to the controversy surrounding Ronaldo’s ongoing protest against the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and its stewardship of the league’s elite clubs.
Al-Nassr vs Al-Ittihad: A Protest, Not an Injury
Ronaldo’s omission was intentional, a calculated statement aimed at the PIF, which owns Al Nassr along with Al Hilal, Al Ahli, and Al Ittihad. The Portuguese superstar, who boasts an extraordinary 91 goals in 95 league appearances since arriving in Saudi Arabia, is believed to be frustrated by what he sees as unequal investment and preferential treatment—particularly toward rivals Al Hilal.
The tipping point came during the January transfer window. Al Hilal stunned the football world by signing Karim Benzema in a blockbuster move from Al Ittihad. Al Nassr, by contrast, were limited to a free transfer for Haider Abdulkarim. For a club chasing domestic dominance—and for a player driven by ambition—that disparity struck a nerve.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano stated that Ronaldo is not unhappy with Al Nassr, but rather with the way the PIF manages and gives priority to certain clubs.
Portuguese media echoed the same sentiment, stressing that Ronaldo’s dissatisfaction lies squarely with the league’s power structure, not with his teammates, coaching staff, or supporters.
Stars Missing, Stakes Still High
Despite returning to training ahead of the match, Ronaldo was not named in the squad, nor even included on the bench. The confirmed attacking trio—Sadio Mané, Kingsley Coman, and João Félix—lined up without their captain and top scorer.
Compounding the sense of absence was the fact that Benzema, now an al-nassr vs al-ittihad Hilal player, was also missing from the occasion. Two of the Saudi Pro League’s biggest global icons were suddenly spectators, not participants. Weeks earlier, such a scenario would have seemed inconceivable.
Yet football has a way of filling vacuums.
Fans Make Their Voices Heard
If the headlines were dominated by politics and protest, the stands told a different story. Al Nassr’s supporters made their allegiance unmistakably clear.
In the seventh minute—a symbolic tribute to Ronaldo’s iconic shirt number—the stadium erupted. Chants echoed through Al-Awwal Park as yellow banners bearing his name and number seven were raised in unison. It was a powerful display of loyalty, one that cut through the noise surrounding boardroom disputes and transfer controversies al-nassr vs al-ittihad.
For the fans, the message was simple: Ronaldo remains the soul of Al Nassr.
Behind the scenes, that support appeared to extend to the club itself. Portuguese head coach Jorge Jesus reportedly boycotted media duties in solidarity with his captain. According to Al-Riyadiyah, “all attempts to secure Cristiano Ronaldo’s participation against Al Ittihad have failed,” highlighting how entrenched the standoff has become al-nassr vs al-ittihad.
A Tactical Battle on the Pitch
Once the whistle blew, the focus—briefly—returned to football.
The first half unfolded as a tense, tactical contest. Al Nassr controlled possession, edging it 56% to 44%, and registered seven shots to Al Ittihad’s four. Still, clear chances were scarce. Defensive discipline and cautious buildup defined the opening 45 minutes, with neither side able to find a breakthrough.
The absence of elite finishers was evident. Without Ronaldo or Benzema, the al-nassr vs al-ittihad game lacked its usual spark in the final third.
That changed late on.
Mané and Gabriel Deliver
The deadlock finally broke when Sadio Mané stepped up from the penalty spot. Calm, composed, and clinical, the former Liverpool forward sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and ignited celebrations across the stadium.
As Al Ittihad pushed forward in desperation, gaps began to appear. Angelo Gabriel exploited one of them late on, finishing decisively to seal a 2-0 victory for the hosts.
The win was significant. It kept Al Nassr second in the standings, just one point behind leaders Al Hilal after 20 matches, and reaffirmed their title credentials—even without their biggest star on the pitch.
The Bigger Picture
Still, the result did little to quiet the broader conversation.
In a statement to BBC Sport, the Saudi Pro League acknowledged Ronaldo’s immense impact on Al Nassr and the league’s global rise, but stressed that “no individual however significant determines decisions beyond “their own club.” It appeared to be a deliberate move to reaffirm authority as scrutiny continued to grow.
Behind closed doors, however, concerns are growing. Ronaldo’s protest has already rattled Saudi football’s carefully curated image. Sources suggest that if the situation remains unresolved, the 41-year-old could activate a summer release clause and leave al-nassr vs al-ittihad as early as June 2026.
Speculation is rife. An emotional return to Sporting CP—the club where his journey began nearly 25 years ago—has been whispered about, despite Ronaldo previously insisting his European chapter was closed.
Benzema’s Shadow Looms Large
Meanwhile, Benzema’s arrival at Al Hilal has only intensified the contrast. The French striker wasted no time making his presence felt, scoring a hat-trick on debut in a ruthless 6-0 win over Al-Okhdood. His immediate impact has amplified frustrations at Al Nassr and fueled perceptions of imbalance within the league’s hierarchy.
For Ronaldo, the message seems clear: ambition must be matched by action.
What Comes Next?
al-nassr vs al-ittihad, winners of 10 Saudi Pro League titles, continue to chase the one prize that has eluded them since Ronaldo’s arrival in December 2022. Despite record contracts and global attention, their only silverware in that period remains the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup.
The hunger is real. So is the tension.
As the dust settles on a dramatic night in Riyadh, al-nassr vs al-ittihad march on in the title race. But beyond the goals, beyond the points, a far more consequential battle is unfolding—one that could reshape the future of the Saudi Pro League and determine the next chapter in the extraordinary career of Cristiano Ronaldo.