The great Saudi escape! As players follow Ronaldo with Middle East move, Femail delves into the lavish lives of their WAGs – from private jets to sprawling mansions
- Cristiano Ronaldo joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr in January
- Read More: Meet the Ashes WAGs! How the cricket players’ glamorous partners shape up against each other as England prepare to take on Australia at Lord’s
Many footballers dream of following in the footsteps of Cristano Ronaldo when it comes to ball skills and his model-esque good looks.
And now it appears some are even looking to him for inspiration as to where to live.
The 38-year-old joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr in January after his contract at Manchester United was torn up following a bombshell interview.
When taking a look at the many privileges and luxuries Ronaldo has already been afforded in the Middle East, it is not hard to see why he’s keen to live there.
Ronaldo has been treated like a king in the country; receiving £630,000 custom-made watches, staying in luxury accommodation, and even being granted an exemption from one of their strictest laws.
It’s this lavish lifestyle that is tempting the likes of Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante to join him in Saudi this summer – and almost convinced Inter Miami-bound Lionel Messi to join.
Karim Benzema’s girlfriend Jordan Ozuna
In May 2022, Karim Benzema made his first public appearance with his girlfriend Jordan Ozuna, 32
Alongside her modelling work, Jordan – who is based in Madrid – also gives glimpses into the couple’s lavish lifestyle with her 618,000 Instagram followers
This summer, the stunning influencer treated followers to a glimpse of the couple’s private boat tour
Alongside her modelling work, Jordan – who is based in Madrid – also gives glimpses into the couple’s lavish lifestyle with her 618,000 Instagram followers
Since starting his career in 1996, Karim Benzema, 35, has become one of the best strikers of his generation – having played for the likes of Real Madrid and the French national team.
The 35-year-old is one of several big-name players to join the Saudi Pro League after signing on a free transfer last month.
The professional football player has an estimated net worth of $80m [£61m] and appears to love nothing more than splashing his hard-earned cash on his partner.
In May 2022, he made his first public appearance with his girlfriend Jordan Ozuna, 32.
The model grew up in Maryland relocated to Hawaii due to her father’s work in the US Armed Forces.
After graduating from Moanalua High School in Honolulu, Jordan started waitressing alongside her modelling work.
In 2016, she hit the big time when she modelled in Kanye West’s Yeezy show.
Alongside her modelling work, Jordan – who is based in Madrid – also gives glimpses into the couple’s lavish lifestyle with her 618,000 Instagram followers.
This summer, she’s treated followers to a glimpse of the couple’s private boat tour.
Last year, she holidayed in the Hamptons in Greater New York – where Karim hired a private yacht.
Posing on the dock at the time, Jordan gushed: ‘Perfect start to the weekend.’
In December 2015, Karim met his ex-wife Cora Gauthier in holiday in Dubai and the pair married exactly a year later. They now share their son Ibrahim, six.
The former couple shared a luxurious mansion in the exclusive borough of La Moraleja in Madrid – which boasted its own outdoor pool, gym and trophy display room.
Marcelo Brozovic’s wife Silvja Lihtar
Earlier this year, Croatia midfielder Marcelo Brozovic followed in Ronaldo’s footsteps by transferring to Al-Nassr for a reported £15m
And throughout all the ups and downs of his career, Marcelo’s wife Silvija Lihtar, 30, has been by his side
The couple are said to have met in his hometown of Velika Gorica and started a romantic relationship in 2012
They married in 2016 – and Silvia now regularly shares snaps as she enjoys their lavish lifestyle (pictured)
Saudi Pro League in numbers
1976 – The year the Saudi Professional League was founded. The league did not become fully professional until 2007, though.
£175m – Cristiano Ronaldo’s annual salary at Al Nassr.
8 – Teams can have eight foreign players each.
19 – The Saudi league’s transfer window shuts 19 days after the Premier League’s summer window on September 1.
2030 – Saudi Arabia plans to bid for the 2030 World Cup.
Earlier this year, Croatia midfielder Marcelo Brozovic followed in Ronaldo’s footsteps by transferring to Al-Nassr for a reported £15m.
And throughout all the ups and downs of his career, Marcelo’s wife Silvija Lihtar, 30, has been by his side.
The couple are said to have met in his hometown of Velika Gorica and started a romantic relationship in 2012. The couple married in 2016 and now share their two children Aurora and Rafael.
While he was still playing for Inter Milan, Marcelo purchased a sprawling home in Milan for his family-of-four.
On top of his passion for football, the sporting star also has a love for cars and is said to own a Ferrari and Mercedes Benz G Class.
Last August, Silvija posted an adorable video of their son happily playing behind the wheel of their 4×4 in a private car park.
What’s more, Marcelo has also ensured that his family have a very comfortable lifestyle.
In August 2022, Silvija posted a photo of her and their two children boarding a private plane to jet off on holiday.
On top of this, the WAG has also been treated to several exotic getaways in the past 12 months.
Earlier this month, Marcelo took his family on a lavish trip to Saudi Arabia following his move – and posted pictures of his wife enjoying a private boat trip.
No expenses were spared for their daughter Aurora’s sixth birthday in April too – with the proud parents forking out for a rainbow balloon installation, bespoke cake and Princess gown for their youngster to wear.
Roberto Firmino’s wife Larissa Pereira
Roberto married his long-term love Larissa Pereira in June 2017 and the couple share three daughters together
High-flying forward Roberto Firmino, 31, loves nothing more than spoiling his family – and his wife Larissa
What’s more, Roberto and Larissa love luxury travel and often holiday in the Maldives, Brazil and the US
As a fully-fledged WAG, Larissa also has a taste for some of the finer things in life – and has been spotted wearing designer brands such as Prada, Chanel and Gucci
Roberto Firmino, 31, left Liverpool after winning five major trophies in his eight years at the club, and was given an emotional send-off by the Anfield faithful in May.
The star signed for Saudi side Al-Ahli on a free transfer following the end of his Liverpool contract, one of several high-profile players who have swapped Europe for the Middle East in recent months.
Although his new salary hasn’t been revealed, Roberto had a weekly wage of £68,000 back in 2017.
And it seems as though the high-flying forward loves nothing more than spoiling his family.
Roberto married his long-term love Larissa Pereira in June 2017 and the couple share three daughters together.
At the couple’s wedding in Maceio, Gabriel Diniz – a huge pop star back in Brazil – performed a number of his hits for the crowd.
Before relocating for Roberto’s new job, the family-of-five lived in a lavish mansion in Merseyside.
In January 2017, the house was targeted by a gang of robbers who stole £70,000 in jewellery, clothes and watches.
What’s more, Roberto and Larissa love luxury travel and often holiday in the Maldives, Brazil and the US.
As a fully-fledged WAG, Larissa also has a taste for some of the finer things in life – and has been spotted wearing designer brands such as Prada, Chanel and Gucci.
Posting a gushing tribute on Instagram to mark Valentine’s Day, Larissa told Roberto: ‘I love your company, love our moments, love your smile, love your touch, love your smell, love your skin…
‘And that never changed in intensity, it was since dating and it will be for life.’
Sergei Milinkovic-Savic’s wife Natalija llic
Al-Hilal have reportedly reached an agreement to sign Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic for £34million – and his partner Natalija will no doubt join him
The Serbia international, who Premier League clubs have long admired, is set to earn roughly £17m net per season in Saudi Arabia
She often wows her Instagram followers with stunning snaps, posing in lavish outfits and tiny bikinis
Al-Hilal have reportedly reached an agreement to sign Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic for £34million.
The Serbia international, who Premier League clubs have long admired, is set to earn roughly £17m net per season in Saudi Arabia.
He has been in a relationship with Natalija Ilic 2017 and they’re regularly seen travelling around the world together.
During the footballer’s time off, they’re often see visiting festivals and holidaying, with Natalija regularly sharing their adventures on her social media channels.
She often wows her Instagram followers with stunning snaps, posing in lavish outfits and tiny bikinis.
Jordan Henderson’s wife – Rebecca Burnett
On Friday, Jordan Henderson accepted a £700,000-a-week deal to leave his contract at Liverpool and play for Saudi Arabia
On Friday, Jordan Henderson accepted a £700,000-a-week deal to leave his contract at Liverpool and play for Saudi Arabia.
However, his club are unwilling to let the player leave for nothing, and are thought to be looking for around £20million if they are to part ways.
Rebecca Burnett is the wife and long-term partner of Jordan Henderson. It is believed the couple first met in Sunderland, their hometown, when they were just teenagers.
The pair are thought to have tied the knot in 2014 and they have two daughters, Elexa and Alba. The loved-up couple also welcomed a son into the family in 2020.
When the couple’s second child was born, Jordan was present at hospital for the birth, before he raced down to Wembley to play in a cup semi-final.
Rebecca was spotted in Russia for the 2018 World Cup, where she was seen in the stands with daughter Elexa.
Christiano Ronaldo’s girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez
Cristiano Ronaldo was named the world’s highest-paid athlete by Forbes at the beginning of May, with his annual earnings this year said to top £109m
Georgina is believed to have an iron-clad ‘pre-nuptial-style’ agreement with Cristiano should the pair separate, according to reports in Spain
Cristiano Ronaldo and his family are reportedly staying in an exclusive compound
His long-time partner Georgina Rodriguez (right) has been a hit on the social scene in Saudi
Cristiano Ronaldo was named the world’s highest-paid athlete by Forbes at the beginning of May, with his annual earnings this year said to top £109m.
Ronaldo has confirmed he is staying in Saudi Arabia, ending speculation he wants to quit the Middle East for a return to Europe.
The Portugal legend left Manchester United to join Al Nassr in January but his move has been shrouded in uncertainty in recent weeks following reports suggesting he could return to former club Real Madrid.
But in an interview in Saudi, the superstar insists he will stay in the Middle East.
‘I am happy here, I want to continue here, I will continue here,’ he said.
‘And in my opinion if they continue to do the work that they want to do here, for the next five years, I think the Saudi league can be a top five league in the world.
‘I will be part of your world, your culture, I will be here, I hope I make the people enjoy through my games, my performance, and to win things, but again, thank you for welcoming me, and I will try to give my best during the time that I will be here.’
Cristiano has son Cristiano Jnr, 12, and twins Eva and Mateo, five, who he had before he met Georgina, and they are parents to daughter Alana Martina, also five, and 13-month-old baby Bella, who they welcomed in April last year.
Georgina is believed to have an iron-clad ‘pre-nuptial-style’ agreement with Cristiano should the pair separate, according to reports in Spain.
The couple were excused from Saudi laws that prevent unmarried couples from co-habiting in the Kingdom when Ronaldo made the £175 million-move to the Saudi Pro League in January of this year.
But despite not being legally married, as per TV Guia, arrangements have been put in place between the couple should they separate to ensure Rodriguez receives financial support.
The agreement is reported to hand ownership of the family’s home in Madrid – La Finca – to the Yo Soy Georgina starlet, and Rodriguez would also receive an eye-watering £85,900 (€100,000) monthly stipend for the rest of her life.
Shortly after arriving at Al-Nassr in January, Ronaldo was awarded a unique £630,000 watch in recognition of his money-spinning move to Saudi.
The one-of-a-kind Jacob and Co timepiece, with a dark-green Saudi theme to represent the country’s flag and its main religion Islam, has 338 extremely rare gemstones embedded in it and is 18 carat white gold, with a size of 47mm by 15.85mm and an alligator-green leather strap.
Ronaldo showed off the watch, which is a ‘Caviar Flying Tourbillon Tsavorite’ made up of 216 different components, 27 jewels and with a 42-hour power reserve, in a flashy Instagram post.
Rather than emeralds, a traditional green precious stone, the watch contains tsavorite, believed to be the most expensive and valuable garnet, which is more sparkly than emeralds and 200 times rarer.
The 37-year-old added the glamorous timepiece to his expensive collection, with Mail Sport previously reporting that he has an incredible £5m watch collection – from a £1.6m diamond-encrusted Franck Muller to a £400,000 Rolex GMT-Master II.
His long-time partner Rodriguez, meanwhile, has been a hit on the social scene in Saudi.
Coverage of her social debut at the Joy Awards – is said to have far outweighed that of famous actress Sofia Vergara who had been named ‘Person of the Year’.
Tatler report that Rodriguez has already amassed a huge fanbase in Saudi, with one person describing her as an ‘icon’ before she even arrived.
Ronaldo has also thrown himself into Saudi’s culture by visiting various bars and events, including Dariyah Nights – a shopping, art and music festival – with Minister of Sports Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal. He also attended Tommy Fury’s boxing clash with Jake Paul.
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