Benzema joins Al Hilal! Strike protest fails, did Ronaldo angrily leave Saudi Arabia?

Written by Han Bing After Benzema’s strike last Wednesday due to dissatisfaction with his contract renewal, Ronaldo also staged a strike this week to protest the Saudi Public Investment Fund’s (PIF) “partiality” — the Portuguese player is upset that Al Hilal, a title contender, secured huge funds for new signings while Al Nassr’s reinforcements are minimal. However, Ronaldo’s protest did not achieve the expected result. On the winter transfer deadline day, Benzema’s sensational transfer to Al Hilal further infuriated Ronaldo, who may continue to miss the February 6th clash between Al Nassr and Al Ittihad, and might even leave the Saudi league out of anger.

The Saudi Public Investment Fund is the major shareholder of the four Saudi football giants and holds direct decision-making power over star signings. Last Wednesday, the “insulting” contract renewal offer to Benzema came from the Saudi League Football Director, Emmenalo — the new contract offered almost no salary, only image rights income, which triggered Benzema’s strike. Meanwhile, Al Ittihad clearly stated they have no say in Benzema’s future. Last weekend, Saudi media reported Benzema might join Al Hilal, sparking Ronaldo’s strike.

Ronaldo is dissatisfied that Al Hilal secured over €90 million in the winter window for signings, including Rennes’ 18-year-old French striker Met (30 million), the 19-year-old French attacking midfielder Bouabreh from Future City Sports (23 million), and Spanish defender Pablo Marí from Fiorentina (2 million). Benzema was transferred to Al Hilal without needing Al Ittihad’s approval. Al Nassr only signed Iraqi midfielder Abdulkarim and local Al Hilal forward Hamdan during the winter window, with signing funds and volume far from comparable.

Since Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in 2023, Al Hilal’s total investment in new signings has reached €672 million, while Al Nassr’s is only €414 million. Al Ittihad’s spending is just €335 million, but their two biggest signings, Benzema and Kanté, were free transfers. While clubs in other leagues decide their own transfer budgets, star signings for the four Saudi giants are determined by the Saudi Public Investment Fund.

Since joining Al Nassr, Ronaldo has yet to win any official competition title. Al Hilal’s clear advantage in the Saudi league title race has left Ronaldo, who expected more resources, deeply dissatisfied. His protest has some justification as there is a clear disparity in transfer funds and star resources among the four giants. Especially with Benzema being “internally transferred” to already leading Al Hilal, Ronaldo was driven to fury. Portuguese media reports that Ronaldo believes the Saudi Public Investment Fund obviously favors Al Hilal by providing it with more title-contending funds and stars.

On Monday, due to Ronaldo’s strong protest, Benzema’s transfer to Al Hilal was temporarily halted. However, to retain Benzema, the Saudi Public Investment Fund completed the deal that same night. Al Ittihad received €25 million in “compensation” and signed Moroccan striker En Nesyri and Monaco’s young forward El Yinehna (33 million). Regarding Ronaldo’s protest, Al Nassr imposed a “media blackout” by forbidding head coach Jesus from commenting before Monday’s league match and prohibiting all players from speaking publicly after the game.

Saudi media believe the strikes caused by Benzema and Ronaldo, along with the ensuing transfer chaos, have seriously damaged the reputation of the Saudi league. Majid Jarman, former CEO of Al Nassr who was dismissed last summer, openly supports Ronaldo and believes the major crisis leading to Ronaldo’s strike and possible departure stems from the Al Nassr board’s continuous inaction. He even mocked Al Nassr’s management as “figureheads” with no influence over club signings, contrasting sharply with Al Hilal’s proactive approach.

Since Ronaldo is the Saudi ambassador for the 2034 World Cup, Saudi authorities will make every effort to retain him. However, the Saudi league’s winter transfer window closed on the evening of February 2, so Ronaldo’s protest cannot be addressed promptly. Portuguese newspaper Record suggests Ronaldo is very likely to leave the Saudi league. He will complete this season with Al Nassr, but if the situation remains unchanged, he will leave as a free agent when his contract expires this summer.

Portuguese newspaper Record revealed for the first time that Ronaldo’s contract with Al Nassr includes a €50 million buyout clause. However, there is a secret clause allowing Ronaldo to unilaterally terminate his contract this summer, even though it officially expires in 2027. From North America to Europe, the Portuguese star has many suitors. Rumors have circulated that Inter Miami may try to sign Ronaldo to maximize star power alongside Messi. But Ronaldo apparently prefers joining another Major League Soccer team to compete in the same league as Messi. Los Angeles FC, which signed Son Heung-min last summer, has the financial capacity to trigger Ronaldo’s buyout clause, but his future depends on what concessions the Saudi Public Investment Fund is willing to make for him.

Approaching 41 years old, Ronaldo’s fate is just beginning to turn.