Ronaldo Keeps Calm and Carries On: A Quiet Shift Before the Saudi Derby

The global star keeps his habit, consistently.

Ronaldo's stance clarified ahead of the big game

The storm around Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr's winter transfer plans cooled just hours before the much-anticipated clash with Al Ittihad in round 21 of the Saudi Pro League.

Ronaldo missed the latest 1-0 win over Riyadh, protesting what he viewed as insufficient backing, and his anger rose late after Karim Benzema's move to Al Hilal.

According to Saudi Arabian newspaper Al Sharq Al Awsat, Ronaldo returned to group training today in readiness for the forthcoming meeting with the league leaders.

He was noted for arriving at the Nassr complex early, underscoring his focus, after skipping the previous session with substitutes and missing the Riyadh game.

Sources also indicated that the winter transfer file at Al Nassr and the surrounding chatter has now closed.

Nassr sit second with 46 points, one behind leaders Al Hilal, who drew with Al Ahli in their last game.

Meanwhile, Al Ittihad occupy sixth with 34 points.

Punchline: If football were a deck of cards, Ronaldo would shuffle again just for the drama. Punchline 2: And yes, even the press would cheer if rumors took a vacation.