March 3, 2026

Ronaldo Leaves Saudi Arabia for Madrid Following Regional Strikes

Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly left Saudi Arabia for Madrid, Spain, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following recent US-Israeli strikes in Iran.

 

The 41-year-old forward departed Riyadh late at night aboard his £61 million ($81 million) Bombardier Global Express 6500 private jet.

 

Flightradar24 data showed that the aircraft left Riyadh at about 8:00 pm and arrived in Madrid shortly before 1:00 am, flying over Egypt and the Mediterranean.

 

The reported departure comes as security concerns heighten across the region. The United States Embassy in Riyadh was hit by two drones overnight, resulting in what Saudi authorities described as minor material damage.

 

“A limited fire broke out at the United States Embassy in Riyadh after it was hit by two drones,” the Saudi Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

 

Iranian state media also reported that a command and staff building in Bahrain had been destroyed, as retaliatory strikes continued following the February 28, 2026, US-Israeli military action in Iran.

 

Reports indicate that the earlier strikes killed several Iranian leaders, with Iranian state media confirming on March 1 that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had died. Authorities in Tehran subsequently declared 40 days of mourning and a seven-day national holiday.

 

Ronaldo resides in Riyadh with his partner, Georgina Rodriguez, and their five children. There has been no official statement from the footballer or his representatives regarding the trip.