- Ronaldo’s private jet leaves Saudi Arabia amid regional conflict
- US urges citizens to exit Middle East countries
- Regional strikes escalate tensions across multiple cities
Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo has fuelled speculation about his whereabouts after his £61 million private jet departed Saudi Arabia overnight as tensions escalated across the Middle East.
Flight tracking data showed the Bombardier Global Express jet leaving Riyadh at about 8pm and landing in Madrid shortly before 1am after a journey of nearly seven hours. Data from Flightradar24 indicated the aircraft crossed Egypt and the Mediterranean before entering Spanish airspace.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Riyadh, where Ronaldo lives with his partner Georgina Rodriguez and their five children, reportedly came under Iranian bombardment as hostilities entered a fourth day. Two drones were said to have struck the United States embassy in the Saudi capital overnight, while Iranian state media claimed a command and staff building in Bahrain had been destroyed.
As foreign nationals scrambled to exit the region, the United States Department of State urged Americans to leave more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries due to rising security threats. Travellers east of Egypt were advised to depart, and several flights bound for Riyadh reportedly turned back amid the unfolding crisis.
Ronaldo upgraded to the Bombardier Global Express 6500 in 2024 after selling his Gulfstream G200, which he purchased in 2015. The customised black jet accommodates up to 15 passengers and features a seating lounge, private suite and shower facilities.
The 41 year old forward, who plays for Al Nassr FC in the Saudi Pro League, is currently sidelined with an injury. He was forced off during Saturday’s 3 1 win over Al Fayha, sparking concerns over a muscle problem ahead of upcoming international fixtures. The club’s Asian Champions League Two quarter final against Al Wasl has since been postponed due to the unrest.
The regional crisis intensified following reported joint strikes by Israel and the United States on Iran. Iranian retaliation has followed, with officials confirming casualties among US service members.
US President Donald Trump said America had a “virtually unlimited supply” of medium and upper medium grade munitions.
“The United States Munitions Stockpiles have, at the medium and upper medium grade, never been higher or better – As was stated to me today, we have a virtually unlimited supply of these weapons,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Wars can be fought ‘forever,’ and very successfully, using just these supplies.”
He added that “additional high grade weaponry” is “stored for us in outlying countries” but conceded that “at the highest end, we have a good supply, but are not where we want to be.”
Explosions were also reported in Dubai, Doha and Manama, while blasts were heard in Jerusalem, with the Israeli military stating that defence systems were intercepting incoming threats.
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