Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly joined a mass exodus of foreign nationals fleeing the Middle East. The Portuguese superstar’s private jet departed Riyadh in the middle of the night on Monday, landing in Madrid just hours after Iranian drones struck the U.S. Embassy in the Saudi capital.
The 41-year-old Al-Nassr striker, currently sidelined with a muscle injury, appears to have prioritized the safety of his partner, Georgina Rodriguez, and their five children as regional tensions escalate. Flight tracking data confirms his Bombardier Global Express 6500 landed in the Spanish capital at approximately 1:00 AM local time.
The “Emergency Flight” Timeline
According to Flightradar24 and reports from the Daily Mail, the luxury aircraft—worth an estimated £61 million—took a strategic route over Egypt and the Mediterranean to avoid high-risk airspace.
Departure: 8:00 PM (Riyadh Time)
Arrival: 1:00 AM (Madrid Time)
Duration: 7 Hours in the air
Football at a Standstill: AFC Postpones Matches
The escalating violence has forced the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to suspend all West Region continental matches. This includes Al-Nassr’s scheduled Asian Champions League Two quarter-final clash with Al-Wasl.
“In light of the developing situation, the AFC has confirmed that matches in the West Region originally scheduled for March 2-4, 2026, are postponed until further notice. The safety and security of all players and fans remains our absolute priority.” — Official AFC Statement.
Injury and Uncertainty
Before the regional crisis, concerns were already mounting over Ronaldo’s fitness. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner limped off during Al-Nassr’s recent match against Al-Fahya. With the Saudi Pro League schedule now in disarray due to the conflict, Ronaldo may use his time in Madrid to consult with world-renowned specialists at his former club, Real Madrid, to accelerate his recovery.
