The couple formed by Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez, who recently announced their engagement, illustrates a two -level opening in Saudi Arabia, where out of marriage coexistence is tolerated for foreigners, but remains unthinkable for the places.
Although the legislation of this conservative kingdom, which houses the most sacred places of Islam, formally prohibits extramarital relations, its application has been flexible in recent years.
Foreign couples can now live together or share a hotel room without being married, and Saudi young people from large cities can attend mixed public places after decades of rigid genres separation.
The arrival of the Portuguese player in the country in January 2023 with his companion Argentina-Spanish, mother of two of his children, caused criticism that they are not officially married.
Nevertheless, the couple continued to sport their glamorous lifestyle on Instagram, where the five -time Golden Ball winner is the most followed personality in the world, with 662 million followers, or on Netflix, where she is the protagonist of the documentary series “Soy Georgina”.
“How could the land of the two sacred mosques accept this impurity for two years?” Asked Rad Mohammed on social network X.
However, this kind of comment was quickly drowned out of an avalanche of congratulations, while the Saudi press overlooks.
Times have changed in a kingdom where 70% of Saudis are under 35 years old, an evolution that, according to Sebastian Sons, from the German Carpo Institute (Applied Research Center in partnership with East), “is inserted in a broader picture of social transformation in Saudi Arabia.”
“Although conservative rules remain, they are less dominant than before and applied with more flexibility and pragmatism,” said Sons.
The rich Gulf Monarchy decided in 2016 to dramatically reduce the power of its dreaded religious police, which hitherto strictly complied with Islamic law.
Although an undiscovered union remains taboo, laws that forced the separation of sexes in public places were revoked.
Since 2019, young couples can go to cafes and restaurants, where before there has been one entry for men and another for families.
Under the impulse of heir prince Mohammed bin Salman, the ambitious “Vision 2030” reform plan intends to open the country and diversify its economy, still very dependent on oil.
In this sense, the presence of non -Muslim tourists is already authorized, and since 2018 women can drive legally.
Along with luxurious resorts, neighborhoods were created to entertain, while petrodollar attract a constant flow of international stars and large sporting events.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the heart of strategy. Since its arrival, many renowned players have played the Saudi Championship, and the country will be the headquarters of the 2034 World Cup.
“Cristiano Ronaldo won a prominent place in Saudi football, where he is perceived at the same time as a model and an ideal ambassador of the ambitious government project to put Saudi Arabia on the world map of football,” said Sons.
In this context, it is not strange that the couple’s coexistence and the player’s excesses are forgiven.
In February 2024, he was suspended for playing the genitals looking at the fans, who shouted the name of his great rival, Argentine Lionel Messi.
A slip that did not prevent him from renewing his contract with Al Nassr by 2027.
