Al-Nassr faces financial crisis: Cristiano Ronaldo’s club hit by transfer freeze over soaring debts

The 2026-27 Saudi Pro League season kicks off on August 13, but Al-Nassr are still waiting to make their first signing of the summer as reports of a major financial squeeze cast uncertainty over the club’s transfer plans.

FAYEZ NURELDINE

AS USA

Update: Jul 27th, 2026 05:32 EDT

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr have reportedly been hit by a financial crisis that has brought their summer transfer business to a standstill just weeks before the start of the new Saudi Pro League season.

According to leading Saudi sports newspaper Arriyadiyah, Al-Nassr’s debts have climbed beyond 800 million Saudi riyals (around $213 million) following spending decisions made last season. The report claims the club has effectively been prevented from completing new signings unless it first generates additional revenue of its own.

That has already had an impact on the transfer market. Despite reaching an agreement to sign Portuguese midfielder Samu Costa from Real Mallorca, Al-Nassr have yet to complete the deal. The club has also been unable to finalize a new contract for winger Abdulrahman Ghareeb.

With the Saudi Pro League set to begin on August 13, time is becoming an increasingly important factor.

What Arriyadiyah says about Al-Nassr transfers

According to the Saudi newspaper, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns Al-Nassr, has adopted a three-part plan to tackle the club’s financial problems.

The first measure reportedly limits the financial authority of the club’s current executives, preventing further spending until additional liquidity is generated.

The second involves bringing in financial, commercial and legal consultants to increase revenue, improve commercial performance and reduce costs, with the aim of putting the club on a more sustainable footing.

The third would see PIF consider offers from investors interested in buying a stake in Al-Nassr. Arriyadiyah says two serious bids are already on the table, although the fund would prefer a partial sale rather than giving up control entirely.

Who owns Al-Nassr?

Al-Nassr has been majority-owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund since 2023, when the kingdom transferred ownership of its four biggest clubs into new corporate structures as part of its Vision 2030 strategy.

PIF holds a 75% stake in Al-Nassr, while the remaining 25% is owned by the club’s nonprofit foundation.

The sovereign wealth fund, which manages over a trillion dollars in assets, financed Saudi football’s rapid expansion by helping attract global stars including Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Neymar.

However the strategy appears to be evolving. Earlier this year, PIF agreed to sell a majority stake in Al-Hilal to Kingdom Holding Company, owned by Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, in a move widely seen as the beginning of a shift toward greater private investment in Saudi soccer.

If Arriyadiyah’s reporting proves accurate, Al-Nassr could become the next club to move in that direction.

Cristiano Ronaldo remains central to Saudi Arabian soccer

Despite the club’s financial difficulties, there is little indication that Cristiano Ronaldo’s position is under threat.

The Portugal captain signed a new two-year contract last year, keeping him at Al-Nassr through 2027. Reports surrounding that agreement also stated that Ronaldo received a small ownership stake in the club, aligning him more closely with its long-term commercial future.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner therefore remains not only Al-Nassr’s biggest star but also one of its most valuable commercial assets as the club looks to attract additional investment.

Saudi Arabia’s sport spending enters a new phase

The reported restrictions at Al-Nassr fit a broader pattern emerging across Saudi sport.

While Saudi Arabia continues to invest heavily in major sporting projects, there are increasing signs that the era of unlimited spending is beginning to give way to a greater emphasis on commercial sustainability.

That shift is not limited to soccer. LIV Golf, another flagship project backed by the Public Investment Fund, has also been encouraged to move closer to a self-sustaining business model rather than relying indefinitely on state funding.

The message appears to be similar across Saudi sport: high-profile investment remains part of the country’s long-term strategy, but clubs and competitions are increasingly expected to improve their own commercial performance instead of depending exclusively on public money.