Al Nassr: Saudi Arabia Bypasses Law To Favour Cristiano Ronaldo

Saudi Arabia has reportedly bypassed its law to favour Al Nassr’s new signing, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Recall that Ronaldo joined Al Nassr last Friday for a whooping £175 million-per-year contract.

Reports emerging on Friday (today) claimed that the 37-year-old player and his longtime girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez, will be allowed to live together in Saudi Arabia.

Naija News understands Saudi Arabia’s law forbids non-married couples to cohabit together. However, with Ronaldo and Rodriguez anticipating to be living together, they would technically be in breach of Saudi law.

TalkSport and multiple sources, however, the multi-time Ballon d’Or winner and his partner will get a pass due to his status as one of the most-marketable athletes in the world.

The reports also quote two Saudi lawyers to have predicted that authorities will not interfere in the player’s decision to live with his girlfriend.

“Although the laws still prohibit cohabitation without a marriage contract, the authorities have begun to turn a blind eye and do not persecute anyone.

“Of course, these laws are used when there is a problem or a crime,” one of the lawyers was quoted saying.

Another added: “The Saudi Arabian authorities, today, do not interfere in this matter [in the case of foreigners], but the law continues to prohibit cohabitation outside of marriage.”

Ronaldo was unveiled as an Al-Nassr player earlier this week with his partner of nearly six years, Georgina, and his family present at the 25,000-strong Mrsool Park, Naija News reports.

Recall that the 37-year-old was a free agent after leaving Premier League side, Manchester United following his controversial and damaging interview with Piers Morgan.

However, Ronaldo is yet to make his debut Al Nassr since he joined the club. Reports said Al-Nassr are unable to register Ronaldo as they have exceeded their foreign player quota.

This means that the club will have to either sell or sack one of their overseas players before the Portuguese star is able to feature.

An Al-Nassr official told AFP: “Al-Nassr has not registered him yet because there is no vacancy for a foreign player.

“A foreign player must leave to register Ronaldo, either by selling or by terminating the contract by mutual consent.”