Benzema’s Text Triggered Ronaldo’s Boycott—Brace for Higher Sport TV Fees in Portugal

The Saudi sovereign fund (PIF) has persuaded Cristiano Ronaldo to end a short-lived protest, a decision that stabilises both Al Nassr’s title chase and the league’s multi-billion-euro business model.

Why This Matters

• Salary politics: PIF’s different treatment of Al Hilal and Al Nassr shows how public money can tilt a title race.

• Portuguese wallets: Sport TV’s rights package is priced to rise again if viewer numbers in Portugal keep climbing.

• Transfer ripple: The stand-off signals that even super-stars will flex their power when recruitment promises are broken.

• Coaching market: Portuguese managers working abroad—from Jorge Jesus to tiny third-division sides—now have fresh leverage in contract talks.

The SMS That Lit the Fuse

A single text—sent by Karim Benzema to his former Real Madrid team-mate—sparked the drama. The French striker, fresh from signing for Al Hilal, joked that the move meant "more money and another medal." Ronaldo, already frustrated that Al Nassr added only fringe winger Haydeer Abdulkareem in January while Al Hilal piled on seven recruits, viewed the message as proof the fund was favouring its other flagship club.

Behind the Saudi Spending Spree

The Public Investment Fund, guardian of Saudi Vision 2030, still owns 75 % of both Riyadh giants. Yet their financing paths have begun to diverge. Al Hilal reported €340 M in revenue last season and is close to being sold to Kingdom Holding, trimming direct state exposure. Al Nassr, by contrast, posted a deficit despite spending €361 M on salaries—€299 M of it on forwards.

Experts contacted by this newspaper say the shift is deliberate. "The league wants outside capital to reduce the accusation of sports-washing," notes football-economics professor Luís Bessa. But loosening the reins at one club while tightening them at another "creates competitive distortion almost overnight."

How Ronaldo’s Two-Match Boycott Unfolded

When Al Nassr board members José Semedo and Simão Coutinho saw their financial autonomy frozen in December, the captain’s patience snapped. Ronaldo skipped wins over Al-Riyadh and Al-Ittihad, officially listed as "technical rest" but internally viewed as a warning shot. Coach Jorge Jesus backed the player in private and even hinted his own renewal depends on the star’s satisfaction.

The stalemate ended only after PIF offered written guarantees: summer funds for at least three "Tier-1" signings and the unfreezing of the Portuguese executives’ budgets.

PIF’s Balancing Act

Saudi officials insist each club "operates independently" inside a wage-cap framework. Yet leaked figures show Al Hilal’s January net spend was nearly €120 M, nine times that of Al Nassr. Analysts fear the model will collapse unless TV revenue rises four-fold to the US$480 M target set for 2030.

For Portugal-based viewers, that matters. Sport TV paid €8 M for rights in 2024; the next auction is expected to double that fee, a cost broadcasters will likely pass on through subscription hikes.

What This Means for Residents

• Higher TV bills: If you follow Ronaldo or the erupting rivalry, prepare for a pricier sports package when the current deal expires this summer.

• Transfer chain reaction: Portuguese clubs may face stiffer competition for late-career stars. Saudi sides now benchmark wages against Ronaldo’s €200 M-per-year package.

• Coaching exports: The episode reinforces Portugal’s stature as a coaching hub. Success for Jorge Jesus could lift the going rate for managers at home and abroad.

• Aviation links: With Riyadh Air poised to buy Al Nassr, expect aggressive fare promotions from Lisbon to the Gulf, tapping the Portuguese diaspora and tourist market.

Looking Ahead

Ronaldo is slated to return on Saturday against Al-Fateh at the Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium. Al Hilal sit a single point ahead, making every fixture a de-facto playoff. The Portuguese star’s title push—tempered by boardroom politics—could decide whether PIF’s experiment is seen as visionary or volatile.