Overview
- Cristiano Ronaldo is set to miss Al-Nassr’s match against Al-Ittihad after already skipping the Al-Riyadh game, according to Fabrizio Romano.
- The Saudi Pro League issued a statement stressing that recruitment and spending decisions are made by each club and that no individual influences choices beyond their own team.
- Sources close to the Public Investment Fund told The Athletic it does not direct sporting decisions at the four major clubs, with no PIF representatives on their sporting committees.
- Karim Benzema marked his Al-Hilal debut with a hat-trick in a 6-0 win over Al-Okhdood, heightening tensions following his move from Al-Ittihad.
- Reporting highlights spending disparities—about €650m by Al-Hilal over three years versus over €410m by Al-Nassr since 2023—and notes Ronaldo’s contract runs to 2027 with a reported €50m release clause and salary near €200m a year.