Cristiano Ronaldo has opened up about the challenges and rewards of moving to Saudi Arabia with his family.
The Portuguese superstar made headlines in January 2023 when he left Europe to join Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, following the termination of his Manchester United contract.
Ronaldo’s storied career has taken him across Europe, from Manchester United to Real Madrid in Spain and Juventus in Italy.
His latest chapter brought him, along with his partner Georgina Rodríguez and their five children, to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“In the beginning, everything was not easy,” Ronaldo shared in the Netflix documentary Saudi Pro League: Kickoff.
“The culture is different. My family is part of me, and they always go wherever I go. Sometimes the kids miss Europe.
It’s normal. Nothing in this life is easy. The Saudi people are very friendly. They are people like me who want to give back.”
Adapting to Life in Saudi Arabia
Ronaldo’s historic deal with Al Nassr reportedly earns him a staggering £173 million per year, making him the highest-paid athlete globally.
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While many speculated that money was the primary motivation for his move, Ronaldo insists otherwise.
“I’m here to win,” he said. “To win trophies, to make Al Nassr better, to make the Saudi Pro League better, and change the culture.
I want to be successful, I want to leave a legacy. This is why I am here. They help me, I help them. We are a unit.”
Georgina Rodríguez Shares Her Perspective
Georgina Rodríguez also reflected on the move in her Netflix series, I Am Georgina. She revealed her relief at leaving Manchester, admitting,
“When Cris told me he was going to play for Al Nassr, I was so relieved because I really wanted to leave Manchester.”
“I knew something big was waiting for us, and we were highly motivated. I was very happy to come to Saudi Arabia.” However, adjusting to a new culture and environment presented its own challenges.
“It all happened so quickly.” “At the beginning, I had some ups and downs because we had never lived in a hotel for so long.
There were days when I didn’t want anyone to see me, but overall, I was very excited.”
From Luxurious Hotels to a New Home
During their initial weeks in Riyadh, the family resided in the lavish Kingdom Suite at the Four Seasons Hotel, occupying 17 rooms for their entourage, including friends, family, and security personnel. Ronaldo’s stay at the hotel reportedly cost over £250,000.
Since then, the family has moved into a private home, settling into their new life in Saudi Arabia.
Despite the challenges, Ronaldo and Rodríguez remain optimistic about their journey, with Ronaldo determined to contribute to the growth of Saudi football while leaving a lasting legacy.
