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Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent absence from Al-Nassr fixtures has sparked widespread debate across the football world, but the Portuguese superstar has now found vocal support from a familiar and respected voice.
Former Real Madrid teammate Toni Kroos has come out strongly in Ronaldo’s defense, weighing in on both the forward’s influence in Saudi Arabia and the reaction surrounding his decision to step away temporarily.
Cristiano Ronaldo nears competitive return for Al-Nassr
Ronaldo is expected to return to competitive action for Al-Nassr after missing the club’s last two matches. According to reports, the forward has resumed training this week and is targeting a comeback against Al-Fateh next weekend.
While Al-Nassr face Arkadag of Turkmenistan in the Asian Champions League 2 in midweek, Ronaldo is not slated to feature in that fixture.
The Portugal international had removed himself from selection following dissatisfaction with Al-Nassr’s January transfer activity, particularly after Karim Benzema was allowed to move from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal, strengthening one of Nassr’s closest title rivals.
Toni Kroos defends Ronaldo’s impact
Speaking on his podcast, Toni Kroos offered a blunt assessment of Cristiano Ronaldo’s significance to the Saudi Pro League. The former Real Madrid midfielder dismissed criticism aimed at Ronaldo and argued that the league’s global relevance is directly tied to his presence.
“The Saudi league is a strange phenomenon. No one had heard of it before the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, and now they disrespect the man who put them on the world map,” Kroos said. “If Cristiano leaves tomorrow, this league will lose all its charm. Without Ronaldo, no one would see the Saudi league.”
Kroos’ comments underline the commercial and sporting impact Ronaldo has had since arriving in Saudi Arabia, where his move significantly boosted global attention on the league.
Saudi Pro League responds to Ronaldo situation
The Saudi Pro League issued a firm response following Cristiano Ronaldo’s protest, emphasizing that no individual player dictates league-wide decisions. In an official statement, the league clarified its governance model and reiterated the independence of its clubs.
“The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules,” the statement read. It further added that “no individual - however significant - determines decisions beyond their own club.”
The league also stressed that transfer decisions, including Benzema’s move, were made independently by clubs within approved financial frameworks designed to ensure balance and sustainability. Addressing competitiveness concerns, the statement highlighted that “with only a few points separating the top four, the title race is very much alive.”
Despite the off-field controversy, attention now turns back to football. Cristiano Ronaldo’s imminent return is expected to bolster Al-Nassr’s title push as the season enters a decisive phase.
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