Cristiano Ronaldo “buys two luxury villas” in Saudi Arabia

Cristiano Ronaldo, soccer’s first billionaire, and his fiancee Georgina Rodriguez have reportedly bought luxury villas in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea project, according to British media.

According to the Daily Mailthe properties are located in Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton resort developed by Red Sea Global, approximately 26 kilometers off the Saudi Arabian mainland and accessible only by charter boat or seaplane. Ronaldo and Rodriguez are among the first buyers of the ultra-luxurious mansions.

Each villa at the Ritz-Carlton Reserve Residences is priced from SAR 15.5 million (approximately £3.1 million). The development comprises just 19 exceptionally private residences, offering personalized service within an unspoiled natural setting.

Talking to you Daily Mailthe Portuguese footballer said: “From the moment we first visited, Georgina and I felt a connection with the island and its natural beauty – it’s a place where we feel at peace.”

“Now we have a home here, we can enjoy quality time with the family in complete privacy and tranquility whenever we want,” he added.

Earlier, a Bloomberg report revealed that Ronaldo earned over $550 million in salary between 2002 and 2023, in addition to a ten-year Nike endorsement deal worth nearly $18 million a year. His partnerships with Armani, Castrol and other global companies have added more than $175 million to his fortune.

Ronaldo’s move to Saudi club Al-Nassr in 2023 made him the highest-paid footballer in history, with an annual salary of £177 million ($237.5 million), plus bonuses and a reported 15% ownership stake in the club.

By comparison, Argentina and Inter Miami star Lionel Messi has earned more than $600 million in pre-tax salary during his career, according to financial estimates.

Ronaldo’s billionaire status places him among an elite group of athletes including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, LeBron James, Tiger Woods and Roger Federer.

Despite his financial success, Ronaldo has said he has no plans to retire anytime soon.

— With additional information from Reuters.