Juliet Ezeh
Cristiano Ronaldo has pushed back strongly against growing criticism that suggests his club, Al Nassr, is receiving preferential treatment in the Saudi Pro League title race.
The Portuguese forward made the comments after Al Nassr secured a 2-0 victory over Al Ahli on Wednesday night, a result that strengthened their position at the top of the table.
In recent weeks, some players and fans have claimed that officiating decisions and league structures appear to favour Al Nassr, especially as the club edges closer to what would be Ronaldo’s first league title in Saudi Arabia.
However, Ronaldo dismissed such claims, insisting that constant complaints are damaging to the image of the league.
“I don’t think this is good for the league. Everyone complains. Everyone is doing more than they should. This is football, not war,” he said.
“Everyone wants to win, but not everything is allowed. I’ll have time to talk about it at the end of the season.”
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also criticized the growing trend of public complaints on social media, particularly from players and officials discussing referees and league decisions online.
“I see a lot of things that aren’t right. Many players complain, post on Instagram and Facebook. They talk about referees, the league, the project. I don’t think that’s good,” he added.
Ronaldo stressed that such behaviour does not reflect the ambition of the Saudi Pro League, which is working to establish itself among the best football competitions in the world.
“That’s not the goal of the league. We have to set an example, not just here but also to Europe, which we want to compete with. We want to be one of the best leagues in the world,” he said.
With just four matches remaining in the season, Al Nassr currently sit at the top of the Saudi Pro League table, holding an eight-point advantage over rivals Al Hilal, who also have a game in hand.
The title race remains open mathematically, but Al Nassr are in a strong position as the season approaches its final stretch.
Ronaldo, who joined Al Nassr in 2023, is still chasing his first league title in Saudi Arabia, and his leadership has been central to the club’s strong campaign this season.