Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly left Saudi Arabia with his family amid rising tensions in the Middle East. His £61 million private jet, a Bombardier Global Express purchased in 2024, departed Riyadh on an overnight flight, making its way over Egypt and the Mediterranean before landing in Madrid, Spain.
The move comes as two drone strikes targeted the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, according to Iranian state media, while additional strikes hit a staff building in Bahrain. These attacks are part of a broader wave of regional violence following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets. Foreign nationals across the Gulf are fleeing the region as the conflict enters its fourth day.
Ronaldo, 41, lives in Riyadh with his partner, Georgina Rodriguez, and their five children. It remains unclear whether his family was aboard the flight, though flight trackers confirmed the aircraft’s overnight journey. The luxurious jet, which accommodates up to 15 passengers, features a double-bed suite, separate shower, and personalized branding with Ronaldo’s logo and signature celebration silhouette.
The escalating tensions have also affected other footballers in the region. Former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand revealed on his show Rio Ferdinand Presents that missile strikes forced his family into a lockdown-like situation in Dubai. Ferdinand described taking cover in his basement with his wife and children as the air raids continued.
“These missile strikes are frightening,” Ferdinand said. “It’s telling your kids what it is and helping them navigate through this moment. You want to try and remain calm and keep everybody as calm as possible.”
As violence in the Middle East intensifies, the safety of expatriates and foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries remains a growing concern, with many opting to evacuate or relocate temporarily.
Ronaldo currently plays for Saudi state-owned Al-Nassr, but has not commented publicly on the flight or his family’s safety.
THESUN