Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez confirmed on Monday that they are engaged. Rodríguez posted an Instagram image showing her hand on Ronaldo’s, displaying a large oval-shaped diamond ring. The caption, in Spanish, read: “Yes, I do. In this and in all my lives.”
It was the first time either had publicly stated plans to marry. People magazine cited jewelers and estimated the stone was at roughly 37 carats, with a value near $5 million.
In January 2023, Ronaldo joined Riyadh-based Al-Nassr Football Club. Rodríguez, 31, has been living with him since his arrival in Saudi Arabia’s capital.
In the kingdom, their relationship has drawn consistent attention, where rules limit cohabitation for unmarried couples. Despite those restrictions, the two have continued to appear together in public since his move.
Scrutiny Over Residency and Law
Under Saudi Arabia’s personal status laws, couples who are not married are not permitted to live together. Certain foreign residents have received exceptions, though the circumstances are rarely disclosed.
Ronaldo and Rodríguez have lived together in Riyadh since early 2023. At the time, local media attributed their arrangement to special permission, citing unnamed legal sources. Authorities have not confirmed those accounts.
In Saudi Arabia, the engagement has revived discussion about the couple’s legal standing. The announcement comes as the government continues to advance its Vision 2030 plan, which has brought changes in sports, tourism, and entertainment.
Al-Nassr drew significant crowds and global coverage with Ronaldo’s appearances. Rodríguez has attended events alongside him, from football award ceremonies to family outings, many of which are documented on her social media accounts.
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From Madrid Beginnings to Life in Riyadh
The two first met in 2016 at a Gucci store in Madrid, where Rodríguez was working at the time. At the Best FIFA Football Awards in Zurich in January 2017, they were first seen together, and Ronaldo posted their first photo on Instagram that May.
That year, they welcomed twins Eva and Mateo via surrogate in June, followed by daughter Alana in November. In 2022, Rodríguez gave birth to daughter Bella.
Bella’s twin brother, Ángel, died shortly after birth— a loss they addressed publicly. Rodríguez spoke about the loss in her Netflix series I Am Georgina, which also explored the beginning of her relationship with Ronaldo.
The family has been photographed at events and traveling within the kingdom, following Ronaldo’s signing with Al-Nassr. Both post images regularly from Saudi landmarks, stadiums, and shopping centers.
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A Public Relationship in a Country Under Reform
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 program has loosened parts of Saudi Arabia’s social framework, expanded professional roles for women, and added large-scale sports events, concerts.
Ronaldo joined the league in 2023 as part of wider efforts to attract leading football players to the Saudi Pro League. Due to the domestic competition and the coverage received across Europe and Latin America, his games have boosted media attention.
Rodríguez has appeared at fashion shows, celebrations, and other public events in the country. Images of the couple circulate widely in the Saudi press and online platforms.
The family has not said whether the wedding will take place abroad or in the kingdom. The announcement comes during an ongoing effort to balance legal traditions with the government’s reform initiatives.
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