Riyadh Victory is about to face off against Al-Khor in their next match. However, Cristiano Ronaldo, a key player on the team, made a notable move. On Saturday, while the team was training, Ronaldo chose to work out alone in the gym due to concerns about overexertion. After discussing with head coach Pioli, he decided to skip the training session.
This decision, which should have been a normal one based on health considerations, is easily subject to various interpretations when it comes to Ronaldo. Reflecting on the events of the 2022 summer transfer window, Ronaldo's situation after joining Manchester United was chaotic. Despite his arrival, Manchester United failed to secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League. That summer, he frequently skipped training and matches, citing reasons such as the death of his son, numerous family affairs, and health issues.
In reality, Ronaldo had privately instructed his agent to reach out to top European clubs. His goal was clear: to join a club that could participate in the Champions League, allowing him to continue enhancing his resume on the grand stage of Europe's premier competition. Unfortunately, his actions did not gain the approval of the European elite. Clubs like Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain all turned him down. Astonishingly, his agent Mendes even approached Barcelona, a fierce rival of Real Madrid, reflecting Ronaldo's desperate state at the time, willing to do almost anything for his own interests.
From this perspective, Ronaldo appears to be a thoroughgoing egotist. He seems to have forgotten the significance of his identity as a Real Madrid legend, focusing solely on his statistics and personal glory. While at Real Madrid, he was undoubtedly a club legend, but his actions since leaving have gradually eroded the positive image he once built.
Currently, Ronaldo's situation at Riyadh Victory is somewhat delicate. With only half a year left on his contract, it seems that no other teams are willing to take him in, primarily due to his high salary demands and factors related to his age and personality. Riyadh Victory has offered him a renewal contract under the condition of a pay cut, which Ronaldo, accustomed to high salaries, finds unacceptable. Consequently, he has once again chosen to threaten the club's management by skipping training. He aims to force the club to renew his contract without reducing his salary, or else his departure could impact the viewership and attention of Saudi football.