Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo and his fiancée, Georgina Rodriguez, are set to tie the knot in a deeply personal Christian ceremony on his home island of Madeira. The wedding is scheduled for the summer following the 2026 World Cup, marking a significant new chapter for the couple after more than nine years together.
A Ceremony Steeped in Personal History
According to reports from the Jornal da Madeira, the couple will exchange vows at the historic Funchal Cathedral. The location holds profound sentimental value for Ronaldo. The cathedral is situated a mere 1.5 miles from the hospital where he was born and just three miles from the base of Nacional da Madeira, one of the youth teams he played for while growing up.
The wedding reception is planned for a luxurious hotel on the island, ensuring the celebration is both glamorous and intimate, reflecting the couple's preferences.
The Unforgettable Midnight Proposal
Ronaldo, now 40, recently opened up to Piers Morgan about his spontaneous and 'not very romantic' proposal. The moment was entirely improvised around 1am, with his daughters asleep in bed. "One of my friends gave me the ring to offer Gio (Georgina)," Ronaldo recounted. "As I was giving her the ring, my two kids come in and say 'Daddy, you're going to give the ring to mum and you're going to ask her to get married.'"
He saw this unexpected interruption as a sign. "I said, 'Wow, this is the right moment to say yes.' I knew that I was going to do it one day but I hadn't planned to do it then," he explained. The proposal, though he didn't get down on one knee, was captured on video by friends and was sealed with a stunning £1.5 million ring. Ronaldo described it as a "beautiful moment" and confirmed that Georgina is "the woman of my life."
A Blended Family Forged Through Joy and Heartache
The couple, who began their relationship in 2016, have built a large family together. They are parents to two daughters: seven-year-old Alana and two-year-old Bella. Rodriguez is also a stepmother to Ronaldo's other three children: his eldest son, Cristiano Jr., and twins Eva and Mateo, who were born via surrogacy in 2017.
Their journey has not been without profound tragedy. In 2022, they suffered the devastating loss of their newborn son, Angel. Speaking about that difficult period, Ronaldo told Piers Morgan how it strengthened their bond. "I feel that we always support each other... Probably in that period, we consolidated the relationship more," he shared. He added that their surviving daughter brought light back into their home, stating, "Everything happens for a reason. I believe in that. So, we are a blessed family."
Looking ahead, the football icon hinted that the wedding plans are perfectly aligned with his professional ambitions, joking that they would marry 'after the World Cup with the trophy'. He also emphasised that he respects Georgina's desire for a more private celebration, noting, "She is not the person that likes big parties. She likes private things."
