FIFA lift Al-Nassr’s transfer ban in timely boost to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi Pro League title charge

FIFA decision gives Al-Nassr fresh momentum as Cristiano Ronaldo pushes for Saudi Pro League glory

Just as the Saudi Pro League season begins to gather real pace, Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr have been handed a boost that could prove decisive in the title race. FIFA have officially lifted Al-Nassr’s transfer ban, clearing the club to register new players ahead of the January window and removing a cloud that had briefly hovered over Ronaldo’s latest quest for silverware.

For a side leading the league and carrying genuine championship momentum, the timing could hardly be better. With the ban gone, Al-Nassr can now strengthen their squad, address any weaknesses and give Ronaldo the support he has been craving since arriving in Riyadh nearly three years ago.

Naughty list revealed: FIFA transfer embargoes explained

On December 19, FIFA quietly updated its official list of clubs barred from registering new players. The update included several teams across the Middle East, with Al-Nassr among those temporarily placed on the list. The move raised eyebrows, particularly given the club’s prominence and Ronaldo’s status as the face of the Saudi Pro League.

However, what initially looked like a serious setback quickly turned into little more than a brief administrative hiccup. Within days, Al-Nassr had satisfied FIFA’s requirements and were removed from the so-called “naughty list”, allowing them to operate freely in the upcoming transfer window.

With January approaching and 2026 on the horizon, the decision opens the door for new arrivals at Al-Awwal Park – a development that will undoubtedly please Ronaldo as he eyes domestic dominance.

Why were Al-Nassr hit with a transfer ban in the first place?

Aymeric Laporte

FIFA have not officially detailed the reason behind Al-Nassr’s ban, but reports in Saudi media have shed light on the issue. According to Al Riyadhiya, the embargo stemmed from an unpaid instalment related to the transfer of Aymeric Laporte from Manchester City in August 2023.

It is believed that City were due to receive a €9 million payment on August 31 as part of the agreement. When that instalment failed to arrive on time, FIFA were alerted, triggering disciplinary action against Al-Nassr.

While the amount itself was not insignificant, the issue appeared to be administrative rather than structural. Once the outstanding payment was addressed and compliance demonstrated, FIFA moved swiftly to close the case.

Not the first warning: Al-Nassr’s previous FIFA sanction

This was not the first time Al-Nassr have found themselves on the wrong side of FIFA regulations. Back in July 2023, just months after Ronaldo’s headline-grabbing arrival, the club faced a similar ban linked to an older transfer dispute.

That case centred on Nigerian winger Ahmed Musa, who joined Al-Nassr from Leicester City in 2018. Performance-related bonuses, totalling close to £390,000, had reportedly not been paid as agreed. FIFA intervened, imposing a registration ban that was only lifted once reparations of nearly €2 million were made.

Those past issues meant there was some nervousness when the latest embargo surfaced. However, the speed with which this ban was resolved suggests Al-Nassr were keen to avoid any disruption during a crucial phase of the season.

FIFA lift Al-Nassr’s transfer ban: Case closed

Confirmation that the ban had been lifted arrived quickly, with respected transfer expert Fabrizio Romano providing clarity on social media.

“FIFA verdict today confirms Al-Nassr’s full compliance with rules as the registration ban has been permanently lifted,” Romano wrote. “The case is closed, key news for Al-Nassr ahead of 2026 plans for the club.”

That final line is particularly telling. Al-Nassr are not merely thinking about the next transfer window; they are planning long-term, with Ronaldo’s presence shaping both sporting ambition and commercial strategy.

A wider issue: Other Saudi clubs still under embargo

Al-Nassr are not alone in dealing with FIFA sanctions. Several other Saudi Pro League clubs remain under transfer embargoes, including Al-Riyadh, Al-Shabab and Al-Wehda. In their cases, the bans extend across three transfer windows, significantly limiting their ability to reinforce squads.

For Ronaldo and Al-Nassr, that imbalance could prove advantageous. With rivals restricted and Al-Nassr free to spend, the conditions are set for a strong push towards the title.

Relief for Ronaldo as title charge gathers pace

Cristiano Ronaldo’s time in Saudi Arabia has been anything but quiet, yet tangible team success has been relatively scarce. While he lifted the Arab Club Champions Cup in 2023, major domestic and continental trophies have remained elusive.

That narrative, however, is beginning to shift. Al-Nassr currently sit top of the Saudi Pro League table in the 2025–26 season, boasting a flawless record through nine matches. A four-point cushion over second-placed Al-Hilal underlines their consistency, and Ronaldo has been central to that surge.

With the transfer ban lifted, Al-Nassr can now reinforce key areas, manage squad depth and sustain momentum across multiple competitions.

On the pitch: Ronaldo still delivering at elite level

At 40, Ronaldo continues to defy conventional logic. This season alone, he has registered 11 goals in 12 appearances across all competitions. His overall tally for Al-Nassr now stands at an astonishing 110 goals, reinforcing his status as the league’s most reliable match-winner.

He is already a back-to-back Saudi Pro League Golden Boot winner and shows no sign of slowing down. Each goal also brings him closer to the almost mythical landmark of 1,000 career goals – a milestone that would further cement his legacy as one of football’s greatest ever figures.

Saudi Pro League ambitions and continental challenges

Al-Nassr’s focus is not limited to domestic competition. They remain active in the AFC Cup, with a clash against Al-Zawraa scheduled midweek before returning to league action against Al-Akhdoud on December 27.

The lifting of the ban allows the club to approach these challenges with renewed confidence. Squad rotation, injury cover and tactical flexibility become far easier to manage when reinforcements are available.

For Ronaldo, this depth could be crucial. While his standards remain exceptional, the demands of competing on multiple fronts require collective strength.

Cristiano Ronaldo Al-Nassr 2025-26

Recruitment power: Ronaldo’s influence behind the scenes

Ronaldo’s role at Al-Nassr extends beyond goals and assists. He is deeply involved in shaping the club’s sporting direction, including recruitment strategy. His presence alone has attracted global attention, but his voice carries weight in discussions around new signings.

With FIFA’s green light now secured, Al-Nassr can pursue targets that align with Ronaldo’s ambitions – players capable of matching his elite mentality and helping transform individual brilliance into sustained success.

Looking ahead: World Cup dreams and unfinished business

Beyond club football, Ronaldo remains captain of Portugal and is expected to feature at the 2026 World Cup. That tournament could mark one final chapter in his storied international career, potentially alongside Lionel Messi once more.

Ronaldo will be desperate to arrive at that stage with more silverware in his suitcase. Lifting the Saudi Pro League title would not only silence critics but also validate his decision to take on a new challenge in the Middle East.

A timely boost with big implications

FIFA lifting Al-Nassr’s transfer ban may seem like a procedural footnote, but its implications are far-reaching. It removes uncertainty, restores flexibility and strengthens a team already flying high.

For Cristiano Ronaldo, it represents another opportunity – another platform to chase trophies, rewrite narratives and remind the football world that even in his forties, he remains driven by the same hunger that defined his career from the very beginning.

As the Saudi Pro League season unfolds, this timely boost could be the moment that turns a strong campaign into a historic one.