Cristiano Ronaldo’s Jet to Madrid: Injury and Conflict Spark Departure Rumors

For 24 hours, speculation swirled regarding Cristiano Ronaldo’s whereabouts after his private jet departed Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Monday evening. Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 showed the aircraft landing in Madrid, Spain, overnight. While initial reports suggested Ronaldo, his partner Georgina Rodriguez, and their five children were on board, his club, Al-Nassr, has since clarified the situation.

Ronaldo Remains in Saudi Arabia, Dealing with Hamstring Injury

Amidst rising tensions in the region following drone and missile attacks in the Gulf, rumors quickly spread that Ronaldo had left Saudi Arabia for safety. However, Al-Nassr released photos on Tuesday of Ronaldo training in Riyadh, confirming he remains in the country. Gulf News and other outlets reported on the club’s efforts to dispel the rumors.

The club similarly announced that Ronaldo is currently dealing with a hamstring injury sustained during a 3-1 win against Al-Fayha in the Saudi Pro League and is following a specific training program. He will not participate in Saturday’s championship match against Neom, although the game’s status remains uncertain due to the regional context. Firstpost detailed this clarification from Al-Nassr.

Jet’s Flight and AFC Champions League Postponement

Ronaldo’s Bombardier Global Express 6500 departed Riyadh around 8:00 PM local time on Monday, landing in Madrid shortly after midnight on Tuesday, according to flight tracking platforms. Euronews initially reported on the jet’s departure coinciding with increased regional instability.

The jet’s flight occurred as the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) suspended eight matches in the Gulf region, including Al-Nassr’s AFC Champions League quarter-final against Al-Wasl, originally scheduled for Wednesday in Dubai, due to security concerns stemming from the Iran war. The AFC has rescheduled all Champions League Elite Round of 16 first-leg matches in the West Region.

Ronaldo’s Social Media Silence

Adding to the intrigue, Ronaldo has remained uncharacteristically silent on social media. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, with over 670 million Instagram followers, has not posted anything in three days, further fueling speculation about his situation.

No Official Confirmation of Departure

As of now, there is no official confirmation that Ronaldo personally traveled to Europe on the jet. His next potential appearance on the pitch is scheduled for next Wednesday when Al-Nassr faces Al-Wasl in the Asian Champions League, pending any further postponements.