Cristiano Ronaldo is understood to still be in Saudi Arabia despite widespread reports that his private jet has departed the country amid escalating Middle East tensions. The football superstar, who plays for Saudi club Al Nassr, has not left the Gulf state, according to sources close to the situation.
Jet Departure Reports Surface
On Tuesday, it was reported that a jet owned by the 41-year-old Portuguese forward left Saudi Arabia on Monday night. This news emerged as regional conflicts intensified, with Saudi Arabia facing retaliatory strikes from Iran following attacks by the United States and Israel over the weekend.
Football Fixtures Proceed as Planned
Despite the security concerns, Saudi Pro League fixtures scheduled between Thursday and Saturday are set to go ahead as things stand. Ronaldo's Al Nassr side is due to host Neom on Saturday in Riyadh, where the US Embassy was reportedly hit by Iranian drones on Tuesday.
The Press Association has confirmed that Ronaldo remains in the country, with no indication that he plans to leave before the upcoming match. This comes as other sporting events in the region face disruptions due to security threats.
Regional Sporting Events Disrupted
In the United Arab Emirates, another country targeted by Iran, players were forced to evacuate the court at an ATP Challenger event in Fujairah after a drone attack on a nearby oil terminal. The ATP later confirmed that play had been suspended for the day following a security alert.
An ATP spokesperson stated: "In line with established security protocols, play was immediately halted and players, officials and staff were directed to designated safe areas. The health, safety and well-being of our players, staff and tournament personnel is our priority. Following consultation with local authorities and security advisors, play has been cancelled for the remainder of the day as a precautionary measure. We continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide further updates as appropriate."
Iranian Women's Football Team Protest
Amid these developments, Iran's women's football team opted not to sing the country's national anthem when they lined up against South Korea in the Asian Cup in Australia on Monday. Iran lost the match 3-0 and will face the hosts in their second group match on Thursday, adding another layer of political expression to regional sporting events.
The situation remains fluid, with security concerns affecting both sporting schedules and participant safety across the Middle East. Ronaldo's presence in Saudi Arabia underscores the complex intersection of international sports, celebrity influence, and geopolitical tensions in the region.
