"ESPN has reported that Ronaldo missed the games against Al Ittihad and Al Riyadh earlier this month over the lack of financial support for the club in the recent transfer window. Ronaldo was unhappy with the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) for failing to invest in the team while rivals Al Hilal -- also 75% majority owned by the PIF -- brought in his former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad."
"However, sources told ESPN earlier this week that he had decided to return to the pitch for Saturday's league match after the PIF met his main demands, namely the payment of Al Nassr's overdue salaries and management autonomy being restored to the club's top executives. After his protest began, the Saudi Pro League issued a statement stressing the independence of all clubs to manage their finances as they see fit."
Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Al Nassr's lineup for Saturday's match at Al Fateh and was named captain alongside João Félix, Sadio Mané and Kingsley Coman. He had boycotted the club's two previous Saudi Pro League matches against Al Ittihad and Al Riyadh due to dissatisfaction with lack of financial support during the recent transfer window. The Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) met his demands by ensuring payment of Al Nassr's overdue salaries and restoring management autonomy to the club's top executives. Al Nassr sit third in the league, four points behind Al Hilal with a game in hand. Ronaldo has scored 17 league goals this season, trailing Ivan Toney and Julián Quiñones.
Read at ESPN.com
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