Cristiano Ronaldo has been a transformational signing for the Saudi Pro League over the past three years, thanks to both his talent and popularity. But the Portugal captain has been forced to leave Saudi Arabia this week due to the ongoing conflict in the region.
Cristiano Ronaldo Departs Saudi Arabia After Escalating Tensions
Over the past few days, the Middle East has emerged as a zone of violence after a series of coordinated attacks by the United States and Israel led to Iran retaliating. After Tehran was bombed, Iran has recently launched attacks on U.S.-allied targets in the region.
According to Al Jazeera, the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was hit by a minimum of two drone attacks on Monday, Mar. 2. The U.S. Embassy has subsequently been closed, and all of its routine and emergency services have been suspended for the time being.
And, according to The Mirror, Ronaldo’s private jet recently left Riyadh for Madrid, Spain. He left Saudi Arabia at around 8 p.m. before arriving in the city of his former team, Real Madrid, at 1 a.m. The Al-Nassr forward’s $81 million jet flew over Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea before landing in Spain, according to Flightradar24.
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While commercial flights have been grounded in Riyadh owing to the tensions, Ronaldo left the city on his Bombardier Global Express 6500 jet. He bought his private plane, which can carry 15 passengers, in 2024 after selling his previously owned Gulfstream G200 jet.
Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr as a free agent in January 2023, was recently in action in his team’s 3-1 Saudi Pro League win at Al-Fayha last Saturday, Feb. 28. He was substituted off in the 81st minute of the clash, which was his 22nd league appearance of the term.
So far this season, the Real Madrid great has scored 22 goals in 26 matches for Al-Nassr. He has also registered four assists across all competitions.
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On the other hand, Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has weighed in on the discussion about if Ronaldo can be called the ‘GOAT’ without lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy.
“He will be the greatest ever, whether he wins the World Cup or not. Our responsibility is to give ourselves the best possible chance to compete for it. That comes from analyzing (our games), improving constantly, and maintaining the same mindset that helped us succeed in the Nations League (in 2025),” he said on the Portugal Football Summit Podcast.
Portugal will face Colombia, Uzbekistan, and the FIFA Playoff Path 1 winner in Group K this summer, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to be held from Jun. 11 to Jul. 19.
