The Earth Keeps Spinning—but the Saudi League Doesn’t Without Cristiano Ronaldo: Boycott Sparks Pullouts, and the Fallout Could Be Brutal

Cristiano Ronaldo’s boycott appears to be continuing—and it’s starting to look like the Saudi Pro League has stepped into a serious crisis.

In Round 21, Al Nassr defeated Al Ittihad 2–1, yet Ronaldo once again did not feature in the match.

According to insider details reported by Portugal’s well-known football outlet A Bola, Al Nassr is facing a significant wage arrears problem, and there are no clear signs that the issue will be resolved soon. In response, Ronaldo has reportedly chosen to keep boycotting as a form of protest.

From this perspective, the situation carries multiple layers: unpaid wages, concerns over how the league is being run, and a broader sense of frustration that has pushed Ronaldo to take a hard stance. Now, attention turns to how the league and its decision-makers will contain the fallout.

Given Ronaldo’s global influence, his ongoing absence has sparked intense discussion across the Saudi Pro League. Questions are being raised about credibility and stability, and many fans are voicing dissatisfaction.

Even if league representatives insist operations are proceeding “as planned,” the negative impact is difficult to ignore. One immediate risk is commercial: broadcasters and partners could reconsider their commitments—or even pull back funding in the short term—if uncertainty continues to grow.

And in truth, it’s not hard to see why the stakes feel so high. The league’s international spotlight expanded dramatically after Ronaldo’s arrival. Without him, would global attention be anywhere near the same? Would stars like Karim Benzema or Sadio Mané have made the move with the same momentum behind the project? For many observers, Ronaldo has been the catalyst for much of the league’s worldwide visibility.

Now 41, Ronaldo terminated his contract with Manchester United at the end of 2022 and joined Al Nassr in 2023. Since then, he has continued to produce goals at a prolific rate. This season, he has recorded 18 goals and 3 assists in 22 appearances—directly contributing to 21 goals.

Without Ronaldo’s relentless output and headline value, many fans are asking a blunt question: what remains as the league’s biggest draw?

At this point, though, the dispute has escalated to a level that won’t be easy to walk back. If the standoff continues, a Ronaldo departure could become a realistic outcome.

So what do you think would happen if Ronaldo left Al Nassr? Would the Saudi Pro League struggle to maintain its momentum—or could it quickly find a new centerpiece to replace him?