Did Cristiano Ronaldo flee Saudi Arabia? Portugal star remains in Riyadh despite rising tension

According to the British newspaper Daily Mirror, Cristiano Ronaldo’s private jet left Riyadh in recent hours and landed in Madrid, sparking speculation that the star forward had left the region and taken refuge in Spain. However, AS has confirmed that the Portuguese player remains there for now, waiting for a solution as the situation develops. It is also worth noting that he is currently dealing with an injury.

Saudi Arabia is experiencing a period of uncertainty due to the armed conflict unfolding close to its territory. The country’s alliances with nations involved in the crisis have added to a climate of caution affecting many aspects of daily life, including the world of sports.

Uncertainty around the Saudi league season

Among the biggest questions is whether the Saudi Pro League will continue as scheduled. Ronaldo’s club, Al Nassr, is battling for first place with Al Hilal, while Ronaldo himself is chasing one of the most remarkable milestones in soccer history, 1,000 career goals.

At the same time, the group stage of Asia’s secondary continental tournament, the AFC Champions League Two, has been suspended for teams affected by the conflict. Ronaldo, despite playing just one game in the competition this season, still had a chance to add to his career scoring total there.

Ronaldo’s 1,000-goal milestone could be delayed

All of this makes it unlikely that Ronaldo will reach the 1,000-goal mark within this calendar year. The milestone may now be more realistic in 2027. A first major trophy during his time with Al Nassr also looked possible in 2026, but that goal could now be affected by the uncertainty surrounding competitions in the region.

A difficult buildup to the World Cup

The delay in Ronaldo’s push for 1,000 goals may also complicate what is almost certain to be his final appearance at the World Cup with Portugal national team. Portugal is widely viewed as having one of the strongest squads heading into the tournament, but the months leading up to it will be crucial.

If he cannot return to a normal training and competition rhythm, Ronaldo will have to find ways to reach peak condition before the tournament. A lack of match fitness is one of the toughest issues to overcome before a short competition, where timing and form are often decisive, as many past tournaments have shown.

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