As debates tracked by Crickex Affiliate continue to ripple through global football, attention has once again shifted toward Saudi Arabia after a dramatic chain of events involving Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Jeddah United. The Portuguese star reportedly refused to play after Benzema’s move to a direct rival was finalized, arguing that the transfer distorted competitive balance in the title race. The reaction left Saudi club owners frustrated, as Ronaldo had long been positioned as the league’s flagship figure. With their biggest name stepping away in protest, uncertainty quickly replaced confidence at the top level.
Sources close to the situation suggest that Ronaldo’s frustration reached a boiling point once Benzema joined Al Hilal. From his perspective, the move handed a decisive advantage to a rival at a moment when silverware was still within reach. Adding to the tension was the memory of Ronaldo himself previously exploring a switch to Al Hilal during the Club World Cup period, only for those talks to collapse. Seeing a former teammate succeed where he could not only intensified the sense of imbalance, turning disappointment into open anger.
Compounding matters further, the Saudi hierarchy failed to reinforce the squad during the transfer window, leaving Ronaldo feeling isolated on the pitch. With no fresh support arriving and ambitions fading, reports emerged that he was reconsidering his future in the region altogether. Possible destinations included Major League Soccer or a return to European football. Yet MLS already revolves around Lionel Messi and a reigning champion side, a scenario unlikely to satisfy Ronaldo’s fiercely competitive nature. Europe, while familiar, presents its own obstacles, as Portuguese clubs lack the finances and elite teams are hesitant to reshape their plans around him.
That reality led Ronaldo to consider a familiar route. According to British media, he reached out through personal contacts to Manchester United, hoping for a sensational return to Old Trafford. He has previously spoken highly of Michael Carrick, praising his former teammate’s football intelligence and predicting a bright coaching future. With Carrick now back in the fold, Ronaldo believed the timing felt right. However, United’s response was swift and decisive, with club owners respectfully declining and making clear that a reunion was no longer on the table.
As conversations monitored by Crickex Affiliate reflect, options are narrowing for the veteran forward. With doors closing in Europe and alternatives proving less appealing, reconciliation with his current club may represent the most realistic path forward. Whether pride allows for compromise remains uncertain, but at this stage, pragmatism may outweigh emotion if Ronaldo hopes to regain stability before the season slips away.