Cristiano Ronaldo had missed two Saudi Pro League games and a cup tie
Published February 14, 2026 • Source: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c178dk11lgqo
Cristiano Ronaldo made his return for Al-Nassr on Saturday after missing three games amid doubts over his future at the Saudi Arabian club.
And the Portuguese, who captained the side, marked his return with a goal after 18 minutes in a 2-0 victory over Al-Fateh.
The 41-year-old had reportedly been unhappy with how the club were being run by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF).
That led to the Saudi Pro League saying "no individual - however significant - determines decisions beyond their own club".
Al-Nassr had teased the return with a social media post showing the captain's armband placed next to Ronaldo's shirt in their dressing room.
Ronaldo moved to the Middle East in December 2022, shortly after his contract with Manchester United was terminated by mutual agreement.
He became the best-paid player in football history with an annual salary of £177m.
However, 10-time league champions Al-Nassr have only won the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup since he joined.
He signed a new two-year contract last June, but BBC Sport has been told his former Real Madrid team-mate Karim Benzema's recent switch to league leaders Al-Hilal from AlâIttihad was the principle reason for five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo's frustration.
Al-Hilal, who sit at the top of the Saudi Pro League table with one point more than Al-Nassr in second, are also run by the PIF.