Overview
- Al‑Nassr said Ronaldo was left out on medical advice due to muscular discomfort, contrasting with media accounts of a deliberate protest.
- Coverage links his discontent to recent cuts in authority for Portuguese executives Simão Coutinho and José Semedo inside the club.
- Without Ronaldo, Al‑Nassr beat Al‑Riyadh 1–0 through a Sadio Mané goal to move within one point of leaders Al‑Hilal.
- Al‑Hilal officially announced the signing of Karim Benzema from Al‑Ittihad, strengthening the league leaders during the same period.
- The Public Investment Fund backs several top Saudi clubs, including Al‑Nassr and Al‑Hilal, and its spending decisions are central to the dispute and the title race.