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The ongoing conflict in the Middle East escalated on Tuesday after drone strikes targeted the United States embassy in Riyadh.
Following the attack, Cristiano Ronaldo’s private jet, worth £61 million (around $81 million), departed Saudi Arabia and landed in Madrid early Tuesday morning, according to flight tracking data cited by British media outlets.
Flight records show that a Bombardier Global Express 6500 aircraft left Riyadh at around 8:00 p.m. local time on Monday and arrived in the Spanish capital shortly before 1:00 a.m. local time.
Flightradar24 data indicates the plane flew west over Egypt and across the Mediterranean before landing in Spain.
It remains unclear whether Ronaldo or his family were on board.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that two drones struck the US embassy compound in Riyadh overnight.
Officials said the attack caused a limited fire and minor material damage, with no casualties reported.
The US Mission to Saudi Arabia issued a “shelter in place” notification for citizens in Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dhahran, urging Americans to avoid the embassy until further notice.
Iranian state media said the strike formed part of a broader retaliatory campaign following military actions by the United States and Israel. Iranian outlets also claimed that a command and staff building in Bahrain had been destroyed.
British media reported that thousands of foreign nationals have sought to leave the region as tensions rise.
The US State Department has advised Americans in more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries to depart due to ongoing security risks.
Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, has lived in Riyadh since joining Al Nassr in late 2022.
He earns an estimated £488,000 per day under his contract with the Saudi Pro League club.
The Portuguese forward is currently sidelined with a muscle injury sustained during Al Nassr’s 3–1 win over Al Fahya. His club’s Asian Champions League Two quarter-final clash against Al Wasl was postponed as regional violence intensified.
In 2024, Ronaldo sold his Gulfstream G200 and purchased the £61 million Bombardier Global Express 6500. The aircraft can carry up to 15 passengers and includes a seating area, sleeping quarters with a double bed, and a separate shower.
As of Tuesday, there has been no official confirmation from Ronaldo’s representatives regarding the purpose of the flight.
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