Cristiano Ronaldo and his fiancée, Georgina Rodriguez, have lived together in Saudi Arabia for more than two years, raising questions about the country’s shifting social rules.
The Portuguese star, 40, and Spanish model, 31, recently announced their engagement, drawing attention not just to Rodriguez’s huge diamond ring but also to the fact they have long shared a home despite not being married.
In conservative Saudi Arabia, where cohabitation outside marriage is technically illegal, such an arrangement would normally be impossible. But while authorities now largely turn a blind eye for foreigners, Saudis themselves still face restrictions.
“Conservative rules are still on the books, but they are applied more flexibly today,” said Sebastian Sons of the German think tank CARPO.
Social change for foreigners, limits for locals
Foreign couples, including Muslims, are now allowed to stay in hotels or live together without marriage, a relaxation that was unthinkable only a decade ago. In big cities, men and women can mix freely in cafés and public spaces, and women can drive, travel alone, and forgo traditional coverings.
Still, most Saudis do not live together before marriage. The practice remains rare, largely limited to wealthy expatriates in private compounds.
Divided reactions
Ronaldo and Rodriguez’s glamorous lifestyle, often shared on social media with revealing outfits and luxury settings, has been well-received by many young Saudis, most of whom are under 35. Their engagement was greeted with congratulations, jokes, and memes.
But some criticism also emerged online, with a minority accusing the couple of defying Islamic values. One user wrote: “How could the land of the two holy mosques accept such impurity for two years?” Others went as far as calling their children “children of sin.”
Saudi’s transformation strategy
These reactions highlight Saudi Arabia’s balancing act under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The crown prince has overseen sweeping reforms designed to modernise society and diversify the economy beyond oil.
Cinemas, live music, and major sporting events have returned, while international stars are increasingly drawn by Saudi petrodollars. Ronaldo himself, signed by Al Nassr in 2023, has become central to this campaign.
His arrival paved the way for other global players to join the Saudi Pro League, while the kingdom secured hosting rights for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
“Ronaldo is seen as both a role model and an ambassador for Saudi Arabia’s global ambitions,” Sons explained.
In June, Ronaldo extended his Al Nassr contract until 2027, ensuring that he and Rodriguez — soon to be officially married — remain central figures in Saudi Arabia’s changing cultural landscape.
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