The Saudi Pro League has struck back at sulking striker Cristiano Ronaldo - warning that no individual 'however significant' is bigger than the competition.

The former Manchester United man, who turned 41 on Thursday, is set to miss his second game in a row on Friday amid reports he is unhappy at the backing his club is being given by the Saudi government compared to rivals.

Ronaldo, on a reported £500,000-a-day, sat out Al Nassr's Monday victory and is expected to remove himself from selection for their clash with last year's champions Al Ittihad.

He is thought to be angry that Al Hilal, his side's main rivals, signed Karim Benzema from Al Ittihad, while Al Nassr's only January addition was a young midfielder. Benzema's debut for Al Hilal saw him score a hat-trick in a 6-0 win at Al Akhdoud on Thursday night.

Ronaldo also believes his club, which is yet to lift the title, are not receiving the same level of support as Al Hilal and the other two club's owned by the country's sovereign wealth fund. 

But in a seismic development a spokesperson for the league has suggested to Daily Mail Sport that the superstar's claims are unfounded.

'The Saudi Pro League is structured around a simple principle: every club operates independently under the same rules,' they said.

'Clubs have their own boards, their own executives and their own football leadership. Decisions on recruitment, spending and strategy sit with those clubs, within a financial framework designed to ensure sustainability and competitive balance. That framework applies equally across the league.

'Cristiano has been fully engaged with Al Nassr since his arrival and has played an important role in the club's growth and ambition. 

Like any elite competitor, he wants to win. But no individual - however significant - determines decisions beyond their own club.'

The spokesperson added that recent transfer activity had 'demonstrated that independence clearly'. 

'One club strengthened in a particular way,' they said. 'Another chose a different approach. Those were club decisions, taken within approved financial parameters.

'The competitiveness of the league speaks for itself. With only a few points separating the top four, the title race is very much alive. That level of balance reflects a system that is working as intended.

'The focus remains on football - on the pitch, where it belongs - and on maintaining a credible, competitive competition for players and fans.'

A Senior Saudi official added: 'Fans in Saudi and around the world want to see Cristiano back playing and competing as soon as possible. The support he has had since he arrived in the Kingdom remains and everything is still to play for.' 

The thinly-veiled digs in the statement may suggest that Ronaldo's time in the country may be coming to an end.

He has 18 months left on his contract, which includes a £43million release clause. However, whether there would be any suitors for a 41-year-old at that price remains to be seen. 

While clubs are allowed designated players, many in MLS would find it difficult to get close to Ronaldo's current salary. 

There is also zero chance of a return to Old Trafford, according to sources. Ronaldo is known to have input into each signing his club makes. Al Nassr have already spent £100m this season.