Doubts surround Cristiano Ronaldo’s participation in Al-Nassr’s crucial Saudi Pro League fixture against Al-Ittihad on February 6. Despite celebrating his 41st birthday, reports suggest the captain may extend a self-imposed boycott over internal club frustrations. Ronaldo missed Monday’s win against Al-Riyadh in a reported protest against the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) regarding perceived unequal investment compared to rivals Al-Hilal.  Cristiano Ronaldo Set To Boycott Second-Successive Saudi Pro League 2025–26 Match, Portugal Captain Eyes Al Nassr Exit by June.

Will Cristiano Ronaldo Play in Al-Nassr vs Al-Ittihad, Saudi Pro League 2025-26 Match?

While Ronaldo returned to training on Wednesday, his inclusion in Jorge Jesus’ starting XI remains unconfirmed. Sources indicate the Portugal captain is seeking administrative changes before returning to competitive play.

Al-Nassr currently sits just one point behind league leaders Al-Hilal. A victory against sixth-placed Al-Ittihad could propel them to the top of the table, making Ronaldo's potential absence a significant tactical blow.  Cristiano Ronaldo at 41: How Many Goals Does He Need for 1,000?.

Ronaldo is currently tied for second place in the scoring charts with 17 goals, just one behind Al-Ahli’s Ivan Toney (18 goals).  In August 2025, he scored his 100th goal for Al-Nassr during the Saudi Super Cup, making him the only player in history to score 100+ goals for four different clubs.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 05, 2026 02:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).