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Cristiano Ronaldo has put pressure on bosses in Saudi Arabia to halt any deal that takes Karim Benzema to Al Hilal, according to reports.

The Portuguese superstar, who has been at Al Nassr since 2023, is growing frustrated by the lack of transfer activity taken by his club, who are still yet to win the title during his time in the Middle East.

He faces seeing Al Hilal, who have been champions recently, land Benzema from Al‑Ittihad. The Frenchman looks set to leave the clubafter being taken a back by their latest contract offer, which would effectively see him playing for minimal amounts.

Al Hilal are ready to swoop in but the deal is on hold as things stand. They haven't got it over the line yet with the ministry stepping in, but it appears unlikely that he'll move to Al Nassr. The PIF, who own the club, aren't willing to grant the funds to complete the deal.

However Prince Al Waleed, who is set to be the outright to-be owner of Al Hilal come the summer, can use his own wealth to fund the transfer - a luxury Al Nassr do not have - claims transfer expert Sacha Tavolieri.

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Ronaldo was not in the squad for Al Nassr's Saudi Pro League match with Al Riyadh on Monday - effectively making it clear he didn't want to play. He isn't out of favour with manager Jorge Jesus and has no injury worries.

His issue stems from the PIF's lack of transfer activity. Ronaldo is annoyed that Al Nassr have failed to add notable reinforcements to aid their push for the title whilst their main rivals are looking to bring in a Ballon d'Or winner. It has ended with the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star effectively going on strike.

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Al Nassr are third in the table - three points behind Al Hilal - but Ronaldo has only seen his side sign Iraq under-23 midfielder Haydeer Abdulkareem this month - and he is still waiting to make his debut for the club.

Al Hilal meanwhile have already signed 18-year-old forward Mohamed Meite from Rennais and former Arsenal defender Pablo Marí from Fiorentina. They've also added Saudi internationals Murad Al Hawsawi and Sultan Mandash from Al Khaleej and Al Taawoun. Benzema could be their fifth major signing of the window.

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