Ronaldo's Engagement in Saudi Arabia Highlights Rapid Social Change

The engagement announcement of Cristiano Ronaldo, a global soccer superstar, to his partner of nine years, Georgina Rodríguez, has sparked conversation about the couple's residence in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The couple, who have been living there with their children for two years, has been testing the boundaries of social change in the conservative Islamic kingdom. Since Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman took power in 2015, the kingdom has undergone a flurry of policy shifts, loosening social restrictions while increasing political repression.

Key Takeaways:

• The couple's engagement announcement has highlighted the rapid social change in Saudi Arabia, where unmarried couples are now able to cohabitate and have children without facing severe punishment.
• The Saudi government's Center for International Communication has not responded to a request for comment on whether sex and cohabitation out of wedlock are permissible now, or whether a special exception was granted to Ronaldo.
• Less privileged women in Saudi Arabia are generally unable to gain access to medical care, schooling, or legal residency for their children, and are unable to register their babies' births, highlighting the existing social and economic disparities.
• Ronaldo's relocation to Saudi Arabia was a major coup for the government's efforts to expand its sports sector and reshape the kingdom's image, bringing one of the world's most famous athletes into its fold.
• The couple's display of their life and soccer in Saudi Arabia, through Ronaldo's Instagram and Ms. Rodríguez's Netflix show, has shown a different side of the country, but also raises questions about the role of social media in shaping Saudi Arabia's image.
• Ronaldo has referred to Ms. Rodríguez as his wife several times, but has also reassured fans that they would get married "one day," fueling rumors and speculation about their relationship.
• The couple's comments on their relationship and marriage plans are also being met with humor across the internet, with many Arabs making jokes about their fast engagement and unusual circumstances.

Statistics:

• Ronaldo has been living in Saudi Arabia with his family for two years, since 2022, under a contract with the Saudi soccer team Al Nassr.
• In 2018, women were finally allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia, a right that had been previously denied to them.
• The Saudi government has not provided a clear penal code, leaving judges to interpret Islamic law in different ways, creating uncertainty for society.
• Less than 10 years ago, unmarried couples in Saudi Arabia could be subject to flogging for engaging in sex outside of marriage.
• Ronaldo has more than 500 million followers on Instagram, making him one of the most-followed people on the platform.
• Ms. Rodríguez, 31, has a Netflix show and has been a key figure in showcasing the couple's life in Saudi Arabia.

Sources:

• The New York Times, "Cristiano Ronaldo's Engagement in Saudi Arabia Highlights Rapid Social Change"
• Associated Press, "Ronaldo's Engagement Sparks Conversation About Saudi Arabia's Social Norms"
• Instagram, Cristiano Ronaldo's account, "Yes, I do. In this and all of my lives."
• Netflix, "The Show with Georgina Rodríguez", season 1, episode 1.