Cristiano Ronaldo’s future at Al-Nassr has been cast into fresh uncertainty after the Saudi Pro League firmly rejected suggestions that any player can exert influence beyond their own club.

Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, was notably absent from Al-Nassr’s squad for Monday’s league fixture against Al-Riyadh, sparking reports in Portugal that he had refused to play due to frustration over the club’s direction and management.

Ronaldo later shared an image of himself back in training, yet doubts remain over whether he will feature in Friday’s high-profile clash with Al-Ittihad.

According to BBC reports on Friday, Ronaldo’s discontent was allegedly heightened by Karim Benzema’s recent move from Al-Ittihad to league leaders Al-Hilal.

Benzema, Ronaldo’s former Real Madrid team-mate, made an immediate statement by scoring a hat-trick on his debut in a dominant 6-0 win over Al-Okhdood.

Both Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal are backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which has played a central role in the rapid rise and global visibility of the Saudi Pro League.

However, league officials have been quick to dismiss any suggestion that star players can influence transfer activity or strategic decisions across clubs.

In a statement to BBC Sport, a Saudi Pro League spokesperson said: “The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules.

“Clubs have their own boards, their own executives, and their own football leadership. Decisions on recruitment, spending, and strategy sit with those clubs, within a financial framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance.”

The spokesperson also acknowledged Ronaldo’s impact since arriving in Saudi Arabia in 2022, adding: “Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al-Nassr since his arrival and has played an important role in the club’s growth and ambition. Like any elite competitor, he wants to win.

“But no individual, however significant, determines decisions beyond their own club.”

Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr after leaving Manchester United midway through the 2021-22 season, signing what was widely reported to be the most lucrative contract in football history, worth around £177 million per year.

Despite his impressive goal-scoring record and commercial influence, his only major trophy with the club so far remains the Arab Club Champions Cup.