Al Nassr's director is out after Ronaldo's strike

Cristiano Ronaldo is used to being told he is the best, yet in Saudi Arabia others were winning the trophies. Ronaldo lost his temper, went on strike, and placed all the blame on the club’s management. Although both the Super League authorities and the club itself defended their positions with strongly worded statements, it seems the famous Portuguese star got his way in the end, as the top management of Al Nassr will ultimately pay the price.

Ronaldo ends the strike but on his terms

According to the latest information from the local outlet Al Riyadiya, Mohammed Al-Skit, the club’s general secretary and executive director of the risk department (among other roles), has resigned from his position, citing private reasons. Saudi media further claim that Abdullah Al-Majid, the chairman of the board, could follow the same path—apparently because Ronaldo was promised that such mistakes would not happen again. Equally important, Al Riyadiya reports that the club will restore full authority to CEO Jose Semedo and sporting director Simao Coutinho. They were appointed last July but had their financial powers revoked on December 31 after suspicions that they had spent more than the allocated budget. At the time, the Portuguese duo were instructed to submit every expense to the executive board for review and approval.

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Coutinho, incidentally, was once a fairly average footballer who has spent the past decade working in management. Semedo had a somewhat more successful playing career in Portugal and the English Championship; he retired in 2023 and did not have much managerial experience. Both arrived at Al Nassr because they have been Ronaldo’s friends since their youth days at Sporting Lisbon. On the other hand, chairman Al-Majid was reportedly undone by an interview in which he made comments that did not sit well with Coutinho, Semedo, or the coaching staff led by Jorge Jesus. Ronaldo is satisfied, and he has ended his strike. As consolation for the Saudis, he has no say when it comes to events in the Super League itself. But when it comes strictly to Al Nassr—it is quite clear who is in charge.