Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo and his family have reportedly left Saudi Arabia following escalating missile attacks linked to the intensifying conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Ronaldo, who plays for Al Nassr, is said to have departed Riyadh shortly after midnight on Monday, March 2, 2026, aboard his private Bombardier Global Express jet, valued at approximately £61 million. The move is widely believed to be a precautionary measure amid growing regional instability.
Riyadh, where Ronaldo resides, has been among the cities affected by missile strikes attributed to Iran, as hostilities entered their fourth consecutive day. The attacks are part of a broader confrontation between Iran and Israel, backed by the United States.
On Monday night, two drones reportedly targeted the United States Embassy in Riyadh. Iranian state media also claimed that administrative and military facilities in Bahrain were struck.
Flight-tracking information circulating on social media indicated that Ronaldo’s aircraft made a nearly seven-hour journey to Madrid. The jet reportedly took off around 2 a.m. local time and landed in the Spanish capital at approximately 7 a.m.
Foreign nationals have increasingly sought to leave parts of the Middle East as security concerns mount. The U.S. State Department has advised American citizens to depart from more than ten countries in the region, while several flights scheduled to land in Riyadh were either diverted or canceled as thousands attempted to leave affected areas.
Meanwhile, joint strikes by Israel and the United States on Iran reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has since launched retaliatory attacks across the region, with reports indicating casualties among U.S. forces.
Several domestic leagues in Arab countries neighboring Iran have temporarily suspended competitions, and uncertainty remains over Iran’s participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup in North America.