Al-Ahli sporting director opens up on Cristiano Ronaldo going on strike at Al-Nassr

Al-Ahli Sporting Director Rui Pedro has expressed his thoughts on the strike action taken by Cristiano Ronaldo after the winter transfer window. The Al-Nassr star decided to express his disappointment with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), majority owners of his club, by refusing to play for the side.

Al-Ahli Sporting Director reflects on Cristiano Ronaldo's strike at Al-Nassr

Portuguese national Pedro interacted with Sky Sports regarding the scenario, noting that it was not his place to judge Cristiano Ronaldo's decisions. He disclosed, however, that he knows the role that his countryman played in the progress of the Saudi Pro League.

"All of us, me being Portuguese, especially and particularly, I have the utmost respect for Cristiano Ronaldo and all the Portuguese professionals here in Saudi Arabia. It's not my place to speak about the way that he decided to make his point. I'm sure he has his own reasons.

"What I can say is that if we're all here today, if we're all here working in Saudi Arabia, most of the responsibility, most of the credit goes to Cristiano Ronaldo. He opened the doors to the rest of the world to Saudi Arabia. I think that's the biggest compliment that you can offer him and what he's been doing game after game, he keeps scoring, he keeps raising the numbers to unimaginable numbers", he said.

What actually happened at Al-Nassr?

Ronaldo was disappointed with various problems surrounding his club, and things came to a head after their inactive transfer window. The Knights of Najd made two low-profile signings as compared to rivals Al-Hilal, leading the 41-year-old to down his tools and refuse to participate in games.

The Al-Nass skipper missed matches against Al-Riyadh and Al-Ittihad, both of which his side won, before coming back to action after a resolution was reached. He scored in the first half of his comeback against Al-Fateh, helping his side claim a 2-0 win away from home.

Cristiano Ronaldo aims for Saudi Pro League Golden Boot

Cristiano Ronaldo has continued his red-hot form after scoring for Al-Nass in their Saudi Pro League game against Al-Fateh. The experienced striker smashed his 18th league goal of the season despite being absent for two straight games.

Ronaldo's goal against Al-Fateh made sure that he leveled with Al-Qadsia star Julian Quinones, with the Mexican having failed to score against Neom. He has now amassed 18 goals in just 19 games as he aims for a third straight Golden Boot.

The former Manchester United player is only two goals behind Al-Ahli star Ivan Toney, who has scored 20 goals in 20 games. The Englishman scored for his side in their 5-2 win over Al-Shabab on matchday 21.