Sports
Cristiano Ronaldo Makes Al-Nassr Exit Decision After Funding Dispute
Cristiano Ronaldo is prepared to leave Saudi Arabia if a dispute over funding is not resolved, GMS understands.
The 41-year-old is unhappy with Al-Nassr’s winter business, which he believes has been impacted by a lack of support from within PIF and the Ministry of Sport. This winter, Al-Nassr were only able to sign Saudi forward Abdullah Al-Hamdan from Al-Hilal and Iraqi midfielder Haydeer Abdulkareem from Al-Zawraa SC.
Ronaldo missed Al-Nassr’s 1-0 victory over Al-Riyadh on Monday and is now set to miss Friday’s game with Al-Ittihad despite training with the team as normal.
Ronaldo Angered by Karim Benzema Transfer
Although Ronaldo did not directly ask for Karim Benzema to join him at Al-Nassr, he was left angered by his move from Al-Ittihad to Al-Nassr given the funds required to pull off the transfer.
Al-Hilal sources stress minority owner Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bankrolled the Benzema deal, but Ronaldo is of the belief Al-Hilal got preferential treatment. Benzema went on to score a hat-trick on his debut against Al-Akhdoud on Thursday.
Ronaldo played a leading role in the hiring of Nassr CEO Jose Semedo and sporting director Simao Coutinho and is understood to feel let down by financial support given to the pair to move freely in the market.
Saudi clubs share around €2bn as a seasonal budget. This money comes from the so-called Player Acquisition Centre of Excellence (PACE) programme and is distributed based on needs rather than split equally.
Further talks are now expected to take place between Ronaldo and senior PIF and Saudi Pro League (SPL) officials. The SPL have also hit back at the boycotting of games, claiming Ronaldo has no right to influence the business of other clubs.
“The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules,” a league spokesperson said on Thursday evening.
“Clubs have their own boards, their own executives and their own football leadership. Decisions on recruitment, spending and strategy sit with those clubs, within a financial framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance. That framework applies equally across the league.
“Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al Nassr since his arrival and has played an important role in the club’s growth and ambition. Like any elite competitor, he wants to win. But no individual – however significant – determines decisions beyond their own club.
“Recent transfer activity demonstrates that independence clearly. One club strengthened in a particular way. Another chose a different approach. Those were club decisions, taken within approved financial parameters.
“The competitiveness of the league speaks for itself. With only a few points separating the top four, the title race is very much alive. That level of balance reflects a system that is working as intended.
“The focus remains on football – on the pitch, where it belongs – and on maintaining a credible, competitive competition for players and fans.”
Saudi Pro League Wants Ronaldo to Stay as Interest Emerges
Saudi Pro League officials want Ronaldo to stay and reach 1,000 career goals in the Kingdom, and some believe the former Manchester United forward could even buy Al-Nassr once he retires. PIF will eventually sell the club along with Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli as part of a long-term plan. Saudi sources stress PIF’s involvement in the four clubs was always meant to be medium-term only.
Yet Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr contract contains a €50m release clause and GMS understands Turkish sides are monitoring the situation ahead of the summer. Fenerbahce and Galatasaray are the two most interested clubs in case an opportunity develops. Ronaldo also has long-standing interest from the MLS.
Saudi officials are hoping Ronaldo returns for Al-Nassr’s trip to Arkadag in the AFC Cup round of 16 next week. But club sources stress they support Ronaldo’s absence and it’s a day-by-day situation.
Liverpool could be set to miss out on one of their summer transfer window targets, with PSG now leading the race, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Reds are preparing for a big summer window after a disappointing season in the Premier League.
Liverpool are also entering a new era after it was confirmed that Andoni Iraola would take over from Arne Slot ahead of the new season.
The Merseyside club will be looking to back the new manager with reinforcements, especially with the former Bournemouth boss having a unique style of play.
Iraola style is more high-pressing and energetic than Slot, which could require different profiles of players.
It looks set to be a busy summer transfer window for Liverpool, but they already appear to be missing out on targets.
Fabrizio Romano: Man City Enter Liverpool and Arsenal Race to Sign ‘Ridiculous’ Star
Man City are keen on the midfielder.
Liverpool Behind in Race for Star
According to a report from Fabrizio Romano, Paris Saint-Germain are now leading the race ahead of two Premier League clubs for Monaco talent Maghnes Akliouche.
Reports claimed earlier this year that Liverpool were showing strong interest in signing the French star in a deal worth around £60 million.
Akliouche, described as ‘insane’, is expected to move this summer, with ‘talks and approaches intensifying’, according to Romano.
Monaco expect bids for Akliouche soon, and it remains to be seen where he will end up.
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Liverpool May Have Other Priorities Now
Liverpool appear to have other priorities in the summer transfer window ahead of the likes of Akliouche.
The Reds are pushing to sign RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, who also has interest from PSG, and he has already agreed personal terms to join the club.
Liverpool have already seen an offer in the region of €100 million rejected for Diomande. The offer was €80 million plus €20 million in add-ons, according to GIVEMESPORT sources.
The Reds are looking to find a replacement for Mohamed Salah, who is leaving the club on a free transfer this summer. Diomande has been identified as the ideal option.
Alexander Isak is currently competing in his first-ever World Cup tournament this summer, but has another country’s flag on his boots. Liverpool’s British transfer fee record signing has looked much more like himself so far this tournament, with one goal and three assists in three appearances meaning he ranks among the best performers based on stats.
Sweden drew 1-1 with Japan in their final match to set up an unenviable Round of 32 tie with France, who are among the favourites for glory come July 19. In that crunch fixture, Isak is likely to come up against Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, but there’s no reason for him not to believe he can go toe-to-toe with them alongside Viktor Gyokeres.
Eagle-eyed supporters watching Tuesday night’s action might be keen to spot which flag Isak wears on his boots ahead of the iconic blue and yellow Swedish emblem. There’s a reason behind it.
Which Flag Alexander Isak Wears on his Boots – And Why
Isak is proud of his heritage and has the Eritrean flag on his boots. The flag has been seen on Isak’s right Adidas boot in both World Cup games. Though he was born in Solna, just north of capital Stockholm, Isak’s parents are from Eritrea in Horn of Africa and moved to Sweden. Speaking in an interview with Alan Shearer, he said:
“Even though I grew up in Sweden, there is a big Eritrean community. I was always around, and raised, in that type of environment. I haven’t been there many times lately, but last time I was there, it was a really good experience. I don’t think there are too many idols they have within the sports world.”
He visited a football school during a trip to Eritrea, where he was mobbed by young children who look up to him. The country marked its 35th Independence Day in May after decades of struggle, and Isak wore an Eritrea shirt to send a celebratory message.
Located on the Red Sea coast, Eritrea borders Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti. The country gained independence in 1993 after a long war of liberation.
Isak represented Sweden at youth level before making his senior debut in 2017, ultimately committing his international future to the Scandinavian nation. Although he was also eligible to play for Eritrea, the national team had endured a long absence from major continental competition, going close to two decades without an Africa Cup of Nations appearance.
Their return to competitive action in March this year marked a rare bright moment, as they beat Eswatini 2-0 in a qualifier staged in Morocco due to a lack of suitable infrastructure in Eritrea. They followed that up with a 2-1 win in the return leg, results that finally earned the nation an official FIFA world ranking after years of inactivity.
FIFA Men’s World Rankings List
The latest international rankings have been revealed – Spain have been dethroned ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Before those victories, Eritrea had been the only unranked side in the system. Their earlier absence from qualifiers, including withdrawals from 2026 World Cup qualifying, left them in a unique position within the rankings. Reporting has previously suggested that repeated pullouts were linked in part to concerns over players seeking asylum while travelling abroad for international fixtures.
Since 2007, it is estimated that dozens of players and coaching staff have left the national setup during overseas trips, according to UN figures. More recently, Eritrea sit around 184th in the FIFA rankings, though that position could improve if they maintain consistent participation and results moving forward.
Manchester City have now entered the race to beat Liverpool and Arsenal to a signing in the summer transfer window.
It’s already looking like a summer transfer window where the top clubs in the Premier League are all competing for similar targets.
The midfield market is going crazy at the moment, and it seems every top-six side in the Premier League is pushing to add another body in the middle of the park.
Clubs will always be fearful when a side like Manchester City enters the race, as they certainly aren’t afraid to splash the cash in the market.
Man City are already pushing to bring in a new midfielder, with reports confirming that they have now agreed a deal to sign Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson.
City are preparing for life under a new manager, with GIVEMESPORT sources confirming that Enzo Maresca will replace Pep Guardiola, although his appointment is yet to be confirmed.
Man City Make Enquiry for Star Who’s Already Agreed to Join Arsenal
They could be ready to hijack the transfer for the Premier League champions
Man City Enter Liverpool and Arsenal Race
Enzo Maresca
According to Fabrizio Romano on YouTube, Manchester City have entered the race to sign Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi.
“Manchester City have a genuine interest in Bouaddi. He’s one of the players being considered by Manchester City, eventually for summer 2027. The starting idea, then lets see how conversations develop, could be to go for the player in 2027.”
The Premier League side want to sign the Moroccan international in 2027 rather than now, and they face competition from both Arsenal and Liverpool.
“Arsenal and Liverpool had meetings before the World Cup for this boy. Both clubs were already tracking him. Manchester City are in the conversation for 2027.”
Whether Manchester City not being keen until 2027 impacts Bouaddi’s future remains to be seen, as Arsenal or Liverpool could make a move in the summer of 2026.
Another season playing regularly in Ligue 1 might not be bad for Bouaddi’s development before making the move to Man City next summer.
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Man City Could Miss Out on Bouaddi
Manchester City could miss out on the signing of Bouaddi, described as a ridiculous talent, in the summer of 2027, as there’s a strong chance that Arsenal or Liverpool make a move this year.
If Liverpool and Arsenal know that Man City have an interest, they might want to make a move quickly in order to get ahead in the race.
Bouaddi is already enjoying a strong World Cup for Morocco, so there is every chance that another club enters the race to secure his signature.
This could make it difficult for City to beat the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal for his signature, especially if he is keen on making a move in the coming weeks and months.
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