Honeymoon or football? Ronaldo faces Al Nassr dilemma

Dubai: Cristiano Ronaldo and his wife Georgina Rodriguez have recently celebrated their wedding, leaving fans in a state of excitement. The private civil ceremony took place in Cascais, Portugal, on August 11, and the couple shared a photo of their matching gold wedding bands on social media. The news has sparked a debate among Saudi Pro League (SPL) supporters – should Ronaldo prioritize his honeymoon or return to the football pitch?

Honeymoons are traditionally celebrated by soon-to-be-married couples, providing them an opportunity to enjoy their new life together away from the public eye. Given Ronaldo’s wealth, it is probable that he has planned something extravagant for their honeymoon. However, this raises questions about Al Nassr’s upcoming domestic campaign. The defending SPL champions begin their season on Saturday, August 15, against Al-Fateh. If Ronaldo has indeed planned a honeymoon, it might lead to his absence from the team.

Despite being a football icon, Ronaldo has previously shown that family matters more to him. An example of this was his decision to miss a Manchester United game following the birth and subsequent loss of his son in 2022. As the club's captain, Ronaldo led Al Nassr to their first league triumph in years last season. Although the situation this time is different, it is believed that he fulfilled his commitment to the team by guiding them to a successful campaign.

Ronaldo’s motivation for playing remains strong, as he has only missed Al Nassr’s pre-season matches due to his disappointment with Portugal’s World Cup performance, which saw their team exit in the round of 16. With the couple calling Saudi Arabia their home for the past three years, a recent Instagram post by Georgina offers some hope for Al Nassr fans.

The post shows a beach with the caption, “Bye Atlantico, see you soon Riyadh.” This suggests that Ronaldo may still find his way back to the pitch for the team’s opening match.