Saudi Arabia bends marriage law for Cristiano Ronaldo

Stuart Telford

• 6 Jan 2023 13:17 GMT
• 3 min read

Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Al Nassr looks set to shake up Saudi Arabian society beyond just football…

Ronaldo completed his free transfer to Al Nassr on 1 January, signing a contract worth a reported €200 million per year until 2025, after which point he will become an ambassador for Saudi Arabia's 2030 World Cup bid.

Ronaldo spoke about lifting the profile of football in the region when he was unveiled alongside Al Nassr head coach Rudi Garcia and president Musalli Al-Muammar, including the women's game, and now one female's rights in particular will be different overnight.

READ: Cristiano Ronaldo: 'I had other offers' apart from Al Nassr

Ronaldo and his partner Georgina Rodriguez are not married, but they will be allowed to cohabit in Riyadh despite the fact that it is technically illegal, on strict religious grounds, per Saudi law.

'Authorities have begun to turn a blind eye'

"Although the law still prohibits cohabitation without a marriage contract, the authorities have begun to turn a blind eye and not persecute anyone," a pair of Saudi lawyers told Agencia EFE. "Of course, these laws are used when there is a problem or a crime.

"The Saudi Arabian authorities, today, do not interfere in these matters [in the case of expatriates], although the law does continue to prohibit cohabitation outside of marriage."

READ: Cristiano Ronaldo BANNED from making his Al Nassr debut

Ronaldo moved to Al Nassr after his second spell at Manchester United ended with a whimper. He was dropped by Erik ten Hag before giving an unsanctioned interview to Piers Morgan in which he slammed the manager, the Glazer family ownership and more.

He was released "by mutual consent" on the eve of the World Cup, paving the way for his sensational move to Saudi Arabia.

A suspension stemming from United's victory over Everton in October - in which he scored his 700th career club goal - means that Ronaldo will have to wait until the 22 January meeting with Al Ittifaq to make his Al Nassr debut.