The Saudi Pro League has reacted to an alleged “professional misconduct” by the Al-Nassr captain, Cristiano Ronaldo.

According to reports, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner boycotted a game against Al-Riyadh and intends to do the same with Al-Nassr’s game against Al-Ittihad tonight.

This is allegedly a move to protest regarding Al-Nassr’s non-signings in the January transfer window.

Ronaldo is reportedly unhappy over the Public Investment Fund (PIF)’s investment in the other clubs it owns compared to Al-Nassr.

The PIF owns clubs like Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. Al-Hilal recently signed Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad.

Benzema scored a hat-trick and added an assist in his debut game; in the lead-up to Al-Nassr’s game tonight.

Saudi Pro League spokesperson, in a strongly worded statement via a spokesperson, according to ESPN, in Ronaldo’s direction, noted that,

“The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: Every club operates independently under the same rules.”

The spokesperson acknowledged Ronaldo’s role in his club and his contribution at large to the Saudi League. He said, “Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al Nassr since his arrival and has played an important role in the club’s growth and ambition.”

However, he warned that, “…no individual, however significant, determines decisions beyond their own club. Recent transfer activity demonstrates that independence clearly. One club strengthened in a particular way. Another chose a different approach. Those were club decisions, taken within approved financial parameters.”

Cristiano Ronaldo penned a two-year contract extension with his Saudi club, Al-Nassr.

The Portugese's contract was set for expiry on June 30.

This left many speculate a new journey elsewhere or an extension with the Saudi club espcially after the five time Ballon d'Or winner about a month ago, posted on social media "the chapter is over".

However, the 40 year-old player will stay with the Saudi Pro League club until beyond his 42nd birthday.

The Portugal captain, joined the Riyadh-based team in December 2022 after leaving Manchester United following a fall-out with then manager Erik-ten Hag and having criticised the club durinhg an interview with Piers Morgan.

In an X post on June 26, he confirmed another stint with Al-Nassr saying , "A new chapter begins. Same passion, same dream. Let's make history together."

The club also confirmed his stay on X in a post which reads, " Cristiano Ronaldo is staying at

@AlNassrFC until 2027."

Although Al-Nassr have not added to their nine domestic titles during Ronaldo's time at the club, CR 7 has added to the club a barrage of goals.

Ronaldo has scored 99 goals in 111 appearances for Al-Nassr,also winning bagged two Golden Boot awards during his time there, including a record-breaking 35-goal season in 2023–24.

Ronaldo scored 35 times in 41 matches across all competitions last term and was the league's top scorer for a second consecutive season.

Having helped Portugal win the Uefa Nations League a little over two weeks ago, the former Manchester United, Real Madrid, Sporting and Juventus forward will almost certainly now be targeting a sixth World Cup appearance next summer.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino raised the prospect of Ronaldo joining a team involved in the Club World Cup after Al-Nassr failed to qualify for the extended tournament which is being held in the United States.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo said he had received offers from participating teams but turned them down because hebelieves he would be a champion in Saudi Arabia.

“My goal, it's always to win something important for Al Nassr. And of course I still believe in that. This is why I renewed the two years more because I believe that I will be a champion in Saudi Arabia,” he noted.

He also lauded the Saudi Pro League's over the years saying, “Of course, we are still improving but I believe that at this moment we are in the top five [leagues in the world] already. I still believe that we will continue to improve… I am happy because I know that the league is very competitive” he concluded.

The decision to stay until at least 2027, which is certain to be highly lucrative, appears to rule out any future prospect of Ronaldo returning to play at the highest level in Europe.

It remains to be seen who will be leading the first team at Al-Nassr going forward, after former AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli left the club this week.