‘Crazy!’ – Ivan Toney Slams Saudi Authorities Over Al-Ahli Treatment Ahead of Clash with Cristiano Ronaldo & Al-Nassr

It was meant to be a week of celebration for Saudi football. The Super Cup final in Hong Kong has drawn worldwide attention, not only because of its significance as the season’s curtain-raiser, but also because of the two strikers who will headline it: Ivan Toney vs Cristiano Ronaldo.

Instead, the build-up has been dominated by controversy. Toney, the former Brentford star who has quickly become the heartbeat of Al-Ahli, has openly criticised the treatment his side received in Hong Kong, describing the preparations as “crazy” and suggesting his team were deliberately put at a disadvantage compared to their rivals, Al-Nassr.

The words have added spice to what was already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated fixtures of the Saudi football revolution.

Ivan Toney vs Cristiano Ronaldo: A New Rivalry

When Toney arrived in Saudi Arabia last year, some wondered whether he could replicate the sharpness and finishing that made him a standout in the Premier League. Those doubts didn’t last long. By the end of the season, Toney had scored 23 league goals, just two shy of Ronaldo’s 25, and more importantly, had fired Al-Ahli to an AFC Champions League Elite trophy.

Ronaldo, of course, remains the face of the league. At 39, he is still defying age, dominating headlines, and delivering performances that remind everyone why he is one of the greatest of all time. Yet, the fact that Toney pushed him so close in the Golden Boot race has created a new rivalry: the established icon against the rising challenger.

Now, the two meet again, not just as strikers but as symbols of their clubs. And thanks to Toney’s remarks, the stakes feel even higher.

The Controversy: ‘We’ve Been the Most Hated’

Speaking in the build-up to the Super Cup final, Toney didn’t hold back.

“To be honest, the preparation and how we’ve been treated is crazy,” he said. “We’ve been on the worst pitch, trained after other teams, and given the least favourable times. We’ve been the most hated, the team nobody wants to win. But that only gives us extra hunger and fight.”

According to reports, Al-Ahli were forced to train at 8pm, long after Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr had enjoyed the prime 5.30pm slot. The pitches made available to them were also of lower quality. While these details might seem small, at elite level, every marginal gain matters — and Toney clearly feels the playing field has not been level.

It’s a remarkable accusation, and one that underlines the simmering tension around Saudi football’s transformation. The influx of stars has brought glamour, but it has also magnified politics, rivalries, and, as Toney claims, bias.

Al-Ahli: A Team with a Point to Prove

toney

Toney’s sense of injustice has clearly resonated with Al-Ahli. Their semi-final performance was ruthless: wave after wave of attack, with no mercy shown. “We wanted to score more and more, and we did,” Toney said after that game.

That hunger comes from more than just the treatment in Hong Kong. Al-Ahli know that, for all their investment and ambition, they are still seen as outsiders compared to Al-Nassr or Al-Ittihad. The presence of Ronaldo at Al-Nassr and Karim Benzema at Al-Ittihad ensures those clubs dominate headlines. For Al-Ahli, victories are not just about trophies, but about respect.

Winning the Super Cup final against Ronaldo’s side would send a powerful message: they are no longer second-tier, no longer outsiders, but part of the elite.

Al-Nassr and the Ronaldo Factor

For Al-Nassr, the preparation has been smoother, and the mood calmer. They arrive as favourites, with Ronaldo still leading the line and the team already used to the pressures that come with being Saudi football’s flagship club.

Last season’s Golden Boot was a personal triumph for Ronaldo, but there’s no denying he wanted more team success. Falling short in continental competition still stings, and this Super Cup offers a chance to set the tone for the new campaign.

Al-Nassr know that if they beat Al-Ahli convincingly, it will reassert their dominance and remind everyone that, even in his late thirties, Ronaldo remains the league’s standard-setter.

The Bigger Picture: Saudi Football’s Global Stage

This final is not just about two clubs. It’s part of Saudi Arabia’s wider strategy to use football as a global showcase. Staging the Super Cup in Hong Kong is evidence of that ambition, an attempt to reach Asian markets and build the Saudi Pro League’s profile beyond its borders.

But with ambition comes scrutiny. Toney’s accusations have cast an uncomfortable spotlight on how the league manages fairness and optics. The sight of one of its biggest stars calling the organisation “crazy” is hardly the advertisement the authorities wanted.

Still, controversy sells. The narrative of Ronaldo’s global superstar status against Toney’s outspoken underdog energy has created a buzz that even the organisers could not have scripted.

Key Battles in the Final

Like any big game, the final will likely hinge on individual duels:

• Toney vs Al-Nassr’s Defence: Can Toney find space against a backline drilled to deal with elite strikers? His physical presence and ability to hold the ball will be crucial.

• Ronaldo vs Al-Ahli’s Centre-Backs: Even without the pace of old, Ronaldo remains lethal in the box. His movement, anticipation, and aerial ability are still unmatched.

• Midfield Control: Al-Ahli will need to deny Al-Nassr’s midfield the time to feed Ronaldo. Expect a fierce battle in the centre of the pitch.

The Road Ahead

Whatever happens in Hong Kong, the season begins in earnest just days later. Al-Ittihad, the defending champions, kick off the Saudi Pro League campaign on Saturday. For Toney, Ronaldo, and the rest, this Super Cup is both a trophy and a statement of intent.

Toney has already fired the first shots off the pitch. Now, he’ll hope to do the same on it. If he can outscore Ronaldo again, his reputation in Saudi football will grow even further.

For Ronaldo, every game is another chance to prove that his star still burns as brightly as ever. Winning another piece of silverware would only reinforce his status as the face of the Saudi project.

Final Thoughts

The headline writes itself: ‘Crazy!’ – Ivan Toney vs Cristiano Ronaldo in the Super Cup final. But beyond the drama and soundbites, this is a clash that reflects where Saudi football stands in 2025. Ambitious, controversial, and packed with star power.

For Al-Ahli, victory would mean validation. For Al-Nassr, it would be confirmation. For Toney, it would prove he is not just living in Ronaldo’s shadow, but carving his own legacy.

And for the rest of us? It promises a final that is about far more than football.