SPL: ‘You’re a disappointment, without Saudi you’d never have visited White House’ – Al-Faraj slams Ronaldo

Saudi football pundit Walid Al-Faraj has criticised Cristiano Ronaldo for his ongoing protest against the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Al-Faraj, speaking as reported by A Bola, referenced Ronaldo’s visit to U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this year as part of his sharp rebuke of the Portuguese superstar. He suggested that Ronaldo may overestimate his influence and importance in the Saudi Pro League.

“Cristiano Ronaldo needs to know his place. This country is named Saudi Arabia, not Ronaldo’s Arabia. He thinks being an ambassador is the same as being a manager,” Al-Faraj said.

“He’s been a disappointment. He works here, earns a salary like a millionaire – more than he ever made in Europe – and he has to respect the league, or he has to go. Picture a Manchester City player refusing to play because they disagree with the club’s owner, or an Arsenal player skipping two games over a contract dispute. That wouldn’t happen in the Premier League.”

The pundit also highlighted Ronaldo’s high-profile perks from playing in Saudi Arabia, including his White House visit in November, which he claims would never have happened without Ronaldo’s connection to the country. “We could give him 500 years and Ronaldo would never step into the White House if he wasn’t part of the Saudi team,” he added.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been making headlines recently for going on strike, sitting out Al-Nassr’s last two matches against Al-Riyadh and Al-Ittihad to show his disagreement with the PIF. Reports suggest the 41-year-old has shared conditions for returning to the pitch and is weighing his next steps.

The former Real Madrid and Juventus star signed a two-year deal with Al-Nassr last summer but could leave for £43 million this summer if his demands are not met.