Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly left Saudi Arabia as tensions in the Middle East escalate, with flight records indicating that the football superstar's private jet departed Riyadh for Madrid on Monday evening.
The flight tracking data showed that Ronaldo’s £61 million Bombardier Global Express 6500 took off from the Saudi capital around 8 PM and landed in Madrid at approximately 1 AM.
According to data from Flightradar24, the aircraft traveled westward over Egypt and crossed the Mediterranean Sea before arriving in Spain, where Ronaldo previously played for Real Madrid.
This development coincides with a mass evacuation of residents and expatriates from the region, following Iranian retaliatory strikes linked to recent conflicts involving the United States and Israel.
Ronaldo's unexpected departure has sparked speculation that he might be one of those seeking temporary safety outside the Gulf region.
The 41-year-old forward plays for Al-Nassr and has been residing in Riyadh since his transfer from Manchester United in December 2022.
Reports indicate that Ronaldo earns approximately £488,000 a day under his lucrative contract.
Moreover, Ronaldo is currently dealing with an injury sustained during Al- Nassr's 3-1 victory against Al Fayha on Saturday, which will prevent him from participating in the club's next game.
Security concerns heightened on Tuesday after Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that two drones targeted the United States embassy in Riyadh, leading to a limited fire and minor damages.
In light of the escalating situation, Saudi Arabian football activities have been suspended, including continental matches involving regional clubs. The Asian Football Confederation announced the postponement of several fixtures.
“In response to the unfolding situation in the Middle East, the AFC Champions League Round of 16 first-leg matches originally set for March 2–3, 2026, will be rescheduled,” the confederation stated on Monday.
It also noted that other matches involving West Region teams scheduled for March 3–4, 2026, have been postponed, while fixtures in the East Region will continue as planned.
The AFC is committed to closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation to ensure the safety of all players, officials, and fans.
Riyadh has become a crucial exit point for affluent individuals and executives who want to leave the Middle East amid rising regional tensions.
According to Semafor, private security firms are arranging fleets of SUVs to transport clients to Riyadh from Dubai, followed by chartering private flights to take them out of the region.
The report further indicated that those being evacuated include senior executives from major financial institutions and high-net-worth individuals visiting the area for business or leisure.
Ameerh Naran, Chief Executive of Vimana Private, a jet brokerage firm, mentioned that private jets from Riyadh to Europe now cost as much as $350,000 (N479,113,600).
“Saudi Arabia is currently the only viable option for those wishing to leave the region. Private jets from Riyadh to Europe can cost up to $350,000,” Naran stated.
Similarly, Ian McCaul, operations and future plans director at Alma Risk, a UK-based security firm, disclosed they have received numerous requests from various clients—including families, individuals, and companies—seeking context on how to exit the region.
“Clients ranging from families to corporations are approaching us due to safety concerns, or for business reasons that necessitate travel,” stated McCaul.
Private flights from Riyadh to Europe in January typically range from $50,000 to over $150,000 for a one-way journey, depending on the aircraft size, according to Fly Elite Jet.
The rise in flight costs follows Iranian reprisal attacks on US military bases in the Middle East, which resulted in multiple explosions across Abu Dhabi, Manama, Doha, Kuwait, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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