Tension in Saudi Arabia: The Benzema Message That Triggered Ronaldo’s Stand-off
An ironic text message from Karim Benzema regarding his move to Al-Hilal has reportedly sparked fury in Cristiano Ronaldo, who remains sidelined at Al-Nassr.
The relationship between Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr is facing its darkest hour. The Portuguese star has been absent from the club's recent official matches, fueling rumors of an internal rift just as the team fights to break its title drought in the Saudi Pro League.
The Joke That Backfired
The source of the recent friction seems to have a name and a face: Karim Benzema. According to reports from Telegraph Sport, the French striker allegedly sent a text message to his former Real Madrid teammate jokingly informing him of his move to Al-Hilal.
In the message, Benzema ironically commented that joining his new club would secure him both a salary increase and a clear path to the league title. What was intended as lighthearted banter between old friends landed poorly with Ronaldo, who was already dealing with growing frustrations.
Why is "CR7" Protesting?
Beyond Benzema’s message, Ronaldo’s discontent stems from the club's sporting direction. The legendary forward feels Al-Nassr has fallen behind other projects backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF). While direct rivals like Al-Hilal bolstered their squads with world-class stars during the winter window, Al-Nassr opted for lower-profile signings, leaving Ronaldo feeling competitively disadvantaged.
A Tale of Two Debuts
While Cristiano remains in what many interpret as a "silent protest," Benzema has delivered immediate results on the pitch. Playing under manager Simone Inzaghi, "Big Benz" made an explosive debut for Al-Hilal, netting a hat-trick in a 6-0 thrashing of Al-Okhdood. This performance keeps Al-Hilal at the top of the table and heaps pressure on an Al-Nassr side that appears to be crumbling from within.
