Cristiano Ronaldo is about to miss his second consecutive match with Al Nassr, and this time the message is impossible to disguise. Although the Portuguese reappeared on social media training, with blue and yellow hearts included, the gesture is not enough to cover up the obvious: the conflict is not with his club, it is with those who govern Saudi football.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the anger remains intact. And it is not minor. The spark was the lightning signing of Karim Benzema by Al Hilal, closed minutes before the close of the market. An operation that altered the internal balance of the Saudi project and that Cristiano interpreted as a betrayal of his status within the plan.

The Rebellion of the Symbol

Cristiano was not absent due to injury. He was absent by choice.

He began what can already be called a covert strike, absenting himself from the key duel against Al Riyadh for the Saudi Pro League title. Al Nassr won 1-0, but the result was of little consequence. The club’s subsequent silence – no statements, no explanations – made it clear that the issue is deeper and more delicate than they would like to admit.

The internal support was total: teammates, management and even Jorge Jesus closed ranks. But even that support has its limits when the conflict points upwards, towards the structure that decides signings, hierarchies and narratives.

Benzema, the trigger for an ego war

Benzema’s arrival is not just another star signing. It is a symbolic shift. Cristiano was the face of the Saudi project, their calling card to the world, the man who legitimized the league. To see another Ballon d’Or winner arrive to boost his arch-rival was interpreted as a clear sign: CR7 is no longer untouchable.And when Cristiano feels he is losing centrality, he reacts.

Rumours, clauses and a future that is once again in doubt

In the last few hours, there have been reports that he was outside Riyadh, even in Portugal. Some were denied, others were not. The fact is that the noise is growing around a 50 million euro release clause, supposedly included in his renewal until 2027, signed in June.

For the first time since his arrival in Saudi Arabia, Cristiano’s continuity is once again on the table, not because of performance, but because of power.

Keys to Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence

• Cristiano Ronaldo could miss his second consecutive match with Al Nassr
• The conflict arises after Karim Benzema’s signing for Al Hilal
• Al Nassr avoided making public statements on the subject
• CR7 is 38 goals away from 1,000 official goals
• There is talk of a 50 million exit clause, valid until 2027

Saudi Arabia learned quickly… and so did Cristiano

The Saudi project no longer revolves around a single name. And Cristiano, accustomed to being the sun, is facing a system that has learned not to depend on anyone.This “strike” is not a tantrum: it is a power struggle. And for the first time in years, Cristiano Ronaldo does not control all the pieces on the board.