Cristiano Ronaldo will depart Saudi Arabia for Spain to undergo treatment for a hamstring problem that has proven worse than initially thought, his club has confirmed, reports BritPanorama.
Al-Nassr boss Jorge Jesus revealed on Friday that medical examinations had uncovered the true extent of the 41-year-old’s muscle injury. “After tests, we see the injury suffered by Cristiano Ronaldo was more serious than expected,” Jesus stated. “Cristiano will now travel to Spain, like other players who went for treatment when they were injured.”
The Portuguese star requires specialist care in Madrid from his personal therapist, with the World Cup looming on the horizon. “His injury required treatment in Madrid with his personal therapist, and we hope he returns quickly and helps the team,” the manager added. Ronaldo picked up the injury during Al-Nassr’s 3-1 victory against Al-Fayha last Saturday, and concerns have since mounted over the severity of the muscle issue.
The timing of this setback raises particular concerns given the approaching World Cup tournament. The forward, who commands an extraordinary daily wage of £488,000 at the Saudi Pro League outfit, had sparked speculation about his location earlier this week when his £61million private aircraft was tracked leaving the country during the early hours of Monday morning. However, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was subsequently confirmed to still be in Saudi Arabia when photographs emerged showing him alongside his teammates.
Ronaldo resides in Riyadh with his partner Georgina Rodriguez and their five children, a city recently caught in the crosshairs of Iranian military action. Tehran has launched retaliatory strikes across the Gulf following a wave of attacks by the United States and Israel that commenced last Saturday. The American embassy in the Saudi capital sustained damage from two drone strikes, while Saudi Arabian forces intercepted and destroyed three unmanned aircraft east of Riyadh on Friday as Iranian attacks continued throughout the region.
Flight tracking data revealed Ronaldo’s Bombardier Global Express aircraft completed the nearly seven-hour journey to the Spanish capital. The luxury jet, which the footballer acquired in 2024 for £61million, departed at 8pm Saudi time and touched down at approximately 1am Spanish time. The Flightradar24 service showed the all-black aircraft’s route took it across Egyptian airspace and over the Mediterranean Sea before landing in Madrid.
As Ronaldo embarks on this medical journey, fans and pundits alike are left to ponder not just his recovery but the broader implications for a player who has transcended the sport. In an era where fitness is paramount, the question looms: how resilient can legends afford to be under the weight of expectation?
