Al-Nassr has received a crucial boost at an important stage of the season, as FIFA has lifted the Saudi Pro League club’s ban on registering new players.
This decision comes just ahead of the January transfer window and is particularly timely for Cristiano Ronaldo, who is seeking his first league title with Al-Nassr since his high-profile move to Saudi Arabia in 2023.
The Riyadh-based club was placed under a transfer embargo by FIFA on December 19, creating uncertainty about their immediate market plans. While FIFA did not publicly disclose the reason for the sanction, Saudi outlet Al Riyadhiya reported that it stemmed from an outstanding payment related to the signing of French defender Aymeric Laporte from Manchester City in August 2023. According to the report, Pep Guardiola’s side were due to receive €9 million by August 31, but the payment allegedly failed to materialise, eventually leading to the ban.
This was not the first time Al-Nassr faced such a situation. The club previously had a registration ban in July 2023, just months after Ronaldo’s arrival and before the Laporte deal was finalised. That earlier embargo was lifted after Al-Nassr reportedly paid close to €2 million in compensation related to Ahmed Musa’s transfer from Leicester City back in 2018, highlighting a pattern of financial disputes periodically troubling the club.
Why The Ban Was Lifted?
The quick resolution of the latest embargo raised eyebrows. The ban was lifted in a matter of days, with Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano stating that Al-Nassr had shown “full compliance” with FIFA regulations, allowing them to avoid further punishment. The rapid resolution means the club can now operate freely in the upcoming window, rather than being restricted across three transfer periods.
Can CR7 Finally Win The Saudi Title?
Al-Nassr is historically one of the giants of Saudi football, boasting 10 league titles, a tally bettered only by Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad. However, their most recent league triumph dates back to the 2018-19 season, four years before Ronaldo’s arrival brought global attention to the Saudi Pro League. Despite the hype surrounding the Portuguese superstar, silverware has been limited, with the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup being the only trophy the club has won since his signing. Ronaldo played a decisive role in that triumph, scoring twice in a 2-1 final win over fierce rivals Al-Hilal.
Al-Nassr To Win SPL?
This season, the signs are far more promising. Al-Nassr currently sit at the top of the SPL table, having won all nine of their matches so far. They hold a four-point lead over Al-Hilal, who trail on 23 points. With the transfer embargo now lifted, confidence is growing that Ronaldo and his teammates can finally end the club’s league title drought. The lifting of the ban not only strengthens Al-Nassr’s squad-building prospects but also keeps alive Ronaldo’s ambition of adding another domestic league crown to his illustrious career.