Ronaldo's Interference Turns the Tide on High-Profile Saudi Transfers
2 February 2026
Ronaldo's intervention turns the tide.
Background
Turkish reports claim Cristiano Ronaldo, the star of Al Nassr, is behind stalling several Saudi transfers in the current winter window.
According to the prominent Turkish journalist Yagiz Sabanoglu, Ronaldo stepped in to derail Karim Benzema's move to Al Hilal.
What happened next
He added on X that, as a result, N'Golo Kanté has not yet signed with Fenerbahçe, and Youssef En-Nesyri's move to Al Ittihad remains incomplete.
The journalist claimed that although Al Ittihad and Fenerbahçe had already finalised the deals and sent them to the Saudi Pro League, the official signatures are still pending approval.
Context and reaction
The journalist said Ronaldo opposes Benzema's transfer on the grounds that it would undermine fair competition.
Meanwhile, talks continue among the parties — Al Hilal, Al Ittihad, Benzema's agent, and the league office — as they seek a resolution to the crisis.
Punchline 1: If Ronaldo keeps blocking moves, the winter window might be renamed Ronaldo's Red Tape Window.
Punchline 2: Maybe the real transfer is Ronaldo teaching clubs how to pause for dramatic effect in three languages.
