The world-famous soccer player is set to break the law in Saudi Arabia as he and his longtime partner, Georgina Rodriguez, will live together in the country without being married.
According to Saudi law, couples cannot live together in the same house without marriage. And as the Portuguese footballer has recently signed a two-year contract with the kingdom’s Al-Nassr club, he will be staying there and, of course, not alone.
“Oil-rich Saudi Arabia’s success in luring the five-time Ballon d’Or winner on a two-year contract with the kingdom’s Al Nassr FC is the Gulf monarchy’s latest step in realizing its sporting ambitions – seemingly at any cost,” CNN reported.
“According to Saudi state-owned media, Ronaldo will earn an estimated $200 million a year with Al Nassr, making him the world’s highest-paid soccer player.”
The 37-year-old GOAT player landed in Saudi along with his family on Tuesday, January 3, where he received a massive and warm welcome from the Saudi officials and general people.
According to Daily Mail, “He was unveiled to fans on Tuesday when he was introduced as ‘the world’s greatest footballer’ in front of 25,000 raucous supporters at Mrsool Park in Riyadh, to a backdrop of fireworks, flares, and strobe lighting.”
Spanish outlet SPORT reported that Ronaldo would reside in the kingdom with Rodriguez and his children. And by doing so, they will break the law.
The couple share two children together, Bella and Alana. Ronaldo also has three other kids – Cristiano Jr. and Eva and Mateo.
But reportedly, the kingdom doesn’t plan to take any action against the GOAT as he is the ‘Cristiano Ronaldo.’
As per Spanish news agency EFE, “Due to Ronaldo’s status as one of the most marketable athletes in the world, the Portuguese star is unlikely to be punished.”
“Quoting two separate Saudi lawyers, the legal professionals expected the relevant authorities to not become involved in Ronaldo’s situation.”
“One said: ‘Although the laws still prohibit cohabitation without a marriage contract, the authorities have begun to turn a blind eye and do not persecute anyone. Of course, these laws are used when there is a problem or a crime.’”
A second added: ‘The Saudi Arabian authorities, today, do not interfere in this matter [in the case of foreigners], but the law continues to prohibit cohabitation outside of marriage.’
The Portuguese footballer joined Al-Nassr in December 2022 after his controversial exit from Manchester United.
Cristiano also couldn’t perform his best in FIFA 2022 – he didn’t have a happy tournament this year, and his team was eliminated in the quarter-final match after they lost the game to Morocco.
Not just that, but Ronaldo has had a very disappointing World Cup overall, as he was benched by his team coach, Fernando Santos, in two matches – first during Portugal’s match against Switzerland and then against Morocco.
What are your views on this update? Let us know in the comments.
Sources: SPORT – CNN – Daily Mail
