6th January, 2023
According to multiple reports, Cristiano Ronaldo and his partner Georgina Rodriguez will be allowed to live together in Saudi Arabia despite the country’s strict law on non-married couples living together.
The 37-year-old joined Al-Nassr on a two-and-a-half-year deal worth £173million-a-season after having his Manchester United contract ripped up.
He was unveiled as an Al-Nassr player earlier this week with his partner of nearly six years, Georgina, and his family present at the 25,000-strong Mrsool Park.
However, with their status of living together, they would technically be in breach of Saudi law.
But Sport reported that the football legend and his partner will get a pass due to his status as one of the most-marketable athletes in the world.
The report goes on to quote two Saudi lawyers, who predict authorities will not interfere.
One said: “Although the laws still prohibit cohabitation without a marriage contract, the authorities have begun to turn a blind eye and do not persecute anyone.
“Of course, these laws are used when there is a problem or a crime.”
A second added: “The Saudi Arabian authorities, today, do not interfere in this matter [in the case of foreigners], but the law continues to prohibit cohabitation outside of marriage.”
Ronaldo is yet to make his debut in the Middle East.
Al-Nassr are unable to register Ronaldo as they have exceeded their foreign player quota.
This means that the club will have to either sell or sack one of their overseas players before the Portuguese star is able to feature.
An Al-Nassr official told AFP: “Al-Nassr has not registered him yet because there is no vacancy for a foreign player.
“A foreign player must leave to register Ronaldo, either by selling or by terminating the contract by mutual consent.”