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By Oscar Okhifo
Cristiano Ronaldo’s £61 million private jet departed Riyadh in the middle of the night, intensifying speculation that the football superstar may have moved his family out of Saudi Arabia as regional tensions escalate.
The 41-year-old Portuguese star, who currently plays for Al Nassr FC in Riyadh, resides in the Saudi capital with his partner, Georgina Rodríguez, and their five children.
Riyadh has been on heightened alert following reported retaliatory strikes by Iran in response to a wave of attacks involving the United States and Israel that began over the weekend.
According to emerging reports, the US embassy in the Saudi capital was hit by two drones overnight, while Iranian state media claimed that a command and staff facility in Bahrain had also been destroyed.
Amid the uncertainty, flight tracking data circulating online showed Ronaldo’s Bombardier Global Express jet departing Riyadh at approximately 8:00pm Saudi time.
The aircraft reportedly completed the near seven-hour journey to Madrid, landing shortly before 1:00am Spanish time.
The development has sparked widespread speculation on social media, with many suggesting the five-time Ballon d’Or winner may have chosen to move his family out of the region as a precaution.
However, there has been no official confirmation from Ronaldo or his representatives regarding the purpose of the flight or whether he was on board.
Foreign nationals have reportedly been leaving parts of the Middle East amid fears of further escalation, as diplomatic tensions intensify and regional security concerns mount.
Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in 2022 in a high-profile move that significantly boosted the profile of Saudi football globally.
Since relocating to Riyadh, he has remained one of the most prominent expatriate figures in the kingdom.
As of the time of filing this report, neither Saudi authorities nor Ronaldo’s management team had issued a statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding the jet’s departure.