The Athletic FC Podcast — Detailed Episode Summary

Episode: What caused Ronaldo's Saudi rift?
Date: February 10, 2026
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
Guests: James Horncastle, Oli Kay, Felipe Cardenas

Main Theme

This episode investigates the turmoil surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo's current spell with Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, exploring the reasons behind his dissatisfaction, what it reveals about the league and Saudi football ambitions, and what the future holds for one of football’s all-time greats. The discussion considers Ronaldo’s on- and off-pitch influence, the structure of Saudi football, the global impact of his decisions, and realistic prospects for the next steps in his career.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ronaldo’s Rift with Al Nassr

• Recent Exclusion:
  • Ronaldo has been left out of Al Nassr’s matchday squad for two games due to discontent with club management ([02:37]).
• Transfer Market Discontent:
  • Main issue: dissatisfaction with Al Nassr’s lack of ambition in the recent transfer window, referencing the club's aggressive spending the previous season ([02:58]).
  • "Ronaldo was apparently not very impressed with what Al Nassr did or didn't do in the January transfer window..." — Ayo Akinwolere ([02:58])
• Desire to Win:
  • Despite legacy being secure, Ronaldo’s hunger for trophies in Saudi remains real, though so far, he has only won the Arab Champions Cup in four years ([03:44]).

2. The Structure and Ownership of Saudi Clubs

• PIF Influence & Operational Inequality:
  • Al Nassr (and the three other top clubs) are majority owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), leading to questions of resource allocation and fairness ([05:11]).
  • Ronaldo’s frustration linked to a perception that Al Hilal (where Benzema now plays) receives more support ([05:13]).
  • "It's mad to have the four biggest clubs in the country effectively being state owned." — Oli Kay ([05:51])
• Multi-Club Ownership Ethics:
  • Discussion on whether Ronaldo’s protest is about competitive fairness or special treatment ([05:51]).
  • Suggestion that his influence at Al Nassr, including friends in management roles, has not delivered desired results in squad building ([07:30]).

3. Saudi Ambitions and Football's Place in National Plans

• Vision 2030:
  • PIF projects (like NEOM city) represent wider ambitions beyond football; spending strategies are influenced by oil prices and national priorities ([09:29]).
  • Change in strategy: moving from superstar signings to sustainable growth through younger talent ([10:02]).
• Perceived Legacy:
  • Despite big-names arriving and record salaries, local fan engagement is lacking. Attendance at games is lower than expected, in part because of high ticket prices ([13:56]) and lack of a fan boom.
  • "There hasn't been this absolute explosion of interest in Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia." — Oli Kay ([13:56])

4. Ronaldo’s Power, Influence, and On-Pitch Value

• Financial Dominance:
  • Ronaldo earns approximately €175 million a year; his wage bill constrains squad-building options ([13:13]).
  • "That's just over £480,000 a day, Ollie… around 3.37 million a week." — James Horncastle ([13:13])
• Club Built Around Ronaldo:
  • Al Nassr tailored to him, hiring his former associates, giving him exceptional influence—possibly too much ([11:55]).
  • Discussion on whether this power imbalance is sustainable for sporting success.
• Legacy Beyond the Pitch:
  • Raised league’s profile internationally, but impact on local footballing culture and club success is debated ([25:55]).
  • "He has brought a real value to the Saudi League and to Saudi Arabia, no doubt about that." — Oli Kay ([13:56])

5. Ronaldo Fatigue & Evolving Narrative

• Off-Pitch Celebrity:
  • Increasingly, Ronaldo is recognized more for his media appearances, business ventures, and proximity to power than for footballing exploits ([18:43], [19:07]).
  • "He's crossed that threshold now where he's famous for being famous." — James Horncastle ([20:38])
• Declining On-Pitch Impact:
  • While goal tallies remain staggering for his age, major club or international successes have waned since leaving Real Madrid ([22:47]).
  • Still exceptional at scoring against lower-level opponents, but less decisive in top competitions ([24:00]).

6. Possible Futures for Ronaldo

• MLS Move?
  • Highly unlikely; only Inter Miami could theoretically afford him, but sharing a team with Messi is seen as implausible ([29:11]).
  • "A lot of MLS teams ...want to move away from signing the player that is in the twilight of their career." — Felipe Cardenas ([29:11])
• Return to Sporting Lisbon?
  • Considered romantic, but his wage demands and buyout clause are major obstacles ([30:43]).
  • Ongoing arbitration for unpaid wages at Juventus signals his high earning expectations ([30:50]).
• Prolonged Career?
  • Speculation on whether Ronaldo will play until 43 or further. Motivation seems partly about chasing records—a "thousand goals" ambition ([33:27]).
  • At some point, the business side will overtake his playing career: "I suspect at some point he's going to think, no, I'll just be Cristiano Ronaldo businessman, an influencer..." — Oli Kay ([33:27])

7. Saudi Arabia, the World Cup & Ronaldo’s Endgame

• Key Figure in 2030 World Cup Bid:
  • Ronaldo is a marketing face for the Saudi bid (and Benzema), conferring football legitimacy ([36:59]).
• International Career Outlook:
  • Portugal likely to use him in group matches, where he racks up goals, but he becomes less effective against stronger opposition ([40:11]).
  • "There’s almost nobody better at scoring loads of goals against limited opposition ... Portugal needed to find a way to play without him." — Oli Kay ([40:11])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Ronaldo was apparently not very impressed with what Al Nassr did or didn't do in the January transfer window."
  — Ayo Akinwolere ([02:58])

• "It's mad to have the four biggest clubs in the country effectively being state owned."
  — Oli Kay ([05:51])

• "He has brought a real value to the Saudi League and to Saudi Arabia, no doubt about that ... but whether it works as a football project, I would say not."
  — Oli Kay ([13:56])

• "He's crossed that threshold now where he's famous for being famous ... He's not famous for being a football player in the way that he was."
  — James Horncastle ([20:38])

• "I think he's the best 41 year old footballer I've ever seen. He's an absolute phenomenon … but when it's come to the big tournaments ... it looked like he was a bit of a dead weight."
  — Oli Kay ([24:00])

• "I think he wants to score a thousand goals. That's been suggested to me. ... But I don’t see him playing at the start of the 2027/28 season. I'd be surprised."
  — Oli Kay ([33:27])

• "He is still a competitor who clearly loves football, regardless of what competition or league or country he's playing in. And he wants to win this great competition known as the Saudi Pro League."
  — Ayo Akinwolere ([05:11])

Important Timestamps

• 02:37 — Why Ronaldo has been dropped & squad tensions explained
• 05:11 — Structure of Saudi club ownership, Ronaldo’s dissatisfaction with operational support
• 13:13 — Ronaldo’s salary and its implications for club spending
• 13:56 — Assessment of Ronaldo’s impact on local Saudi fan culture and attendances
• 18:43 — Discussion on “Ronaldo fatigue” and the shift in his public perception
• 29:11 — Possibility of MLS move, with Felipe Cardenas’ analysis
• 30:43 — Romantic prospect of return to Sporting Lisbon and the challenges
• 33:27 — Motivation: Chasing 1,000 goals and his future as a businessman
• 36:59 — Ronaldo’s role in Saudi Arabia’s World Cup PR efforts
• 40:11 — Portugal’s reliance on Ronaldo in group games vs knockout stages

Conclusion

The episode offers a nuanced look at Ronaldo's current frustrations in Saudi Arabia, placing them in a wider context of football, business, and Saudi national ambitions. While Ronaldo's sporting influence remains immense, his power, celebrity, and commercial pull bring as many complexities as they do opportunities. His future appears uncertain—a mix of footballing ambition, personal legacy-building, and inevitable transition into post-playing stardom.

For anyone unfamiliar with the current state of Ronaldo's career, this episode contextualizes his unique position as an aging superstar, a global brand, and a pivotal cog in the machinery of Saudi Arabia’s sporting and cultural ambitions. The discussion leaves listeners pondering not just where Ronaldo will go next, but what he ultimately represents for the sport in this new era.