Skip to main content

Can Ronaldo live with girlfriend in conservative Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia does not allow non-married couples to live together, though laws and customs have relaxed in some respects.

Former Real Madrid player Cristiano Ronaldo leaves with his Spanish girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez after attending a court hearing for tax evasion in Madrid on Jan. 22, 2019.
Former Real Madrid player Cristiano Ronaldo leaves with his Spanish girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez after attending a court hearing for tax evasion in Madrid on Jan. 22, 2019. — OSCAR DEL POZO/AFP via Getty Images

Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo finalized his deal to join the Saudi club Al Nassr last month, making him by far the biggest name in the Saudi Pro League. Between the contract and another deal to be an ambassador for Saudi Arabia’s 2030 World Cup bid, Ronaldo is reportedly set to earn more than $400 million in the kingdom. 

Ronaldo arrived in Saudi Arabia last week along with his children and longtime girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez. But Ronaldo and Rodriguez are not married, and their arrival in the Gulf state prompted numerous reports in international media that Saudi authorities are expected to allow them to live together in violation of Saudi law. 

Subscribe for unlimited access

All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more

$14 monthly or $100 annually ($8.33/month)
OR

Continue reading this article for free

All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more.

By signing up, you agree to Al-Monitor’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Already have an account? Log in