Cristiano Ronaldo Flies to Madrid After Injury — Amid Rising Tensions in Saudi Arabia
Cristiano Ronaldo has flown to Madrid to treat a hamstring injury that turned out to be more serious than initially expected.
Officially, the trip is purely medical. However, it also comes at a moment of escalating geopolitical tension in the Middle East.
Ronaldo leaves Saudi Arabia for treatment
The news about Ronaldo’s departure from Saudi Arabia was confirmed by Jorge Jesus, the head coach of Al Nassr.
«In the last match Ronaldo left the field after complaining about a muscle injury. After a medical examination it turned out to be more serious than expected and requires rest and recovery. Cristiano went to Spain, like other players who have previously undergone treatment there. He is working with his personal therapist. We hope he returns quickly and helps the team again.»
The injury occurred during Al Nassr’s match against Al‑Feiha. Ronaldo had earlier missed a penalty and was substituted in the 81st minute after experiencing problems with his right leg.
Ronaldo’s trusted physiotherapist in Madrid
In Madrid, Ronaldo is expected to work again with renowned physiotherapist Joaquín Juan.
The specialist has been part of Ronaldo’s recovery routine since his time at Real Madrid. Juan was originally recommended to the Portuguese star by Ángel Di María after helping the Argentine recover from injury in 2012.
Former Real Madrid coach José Mourinho once even attempted to include Juan in the club’s official medical staff. According to reports from Spanish outlet AS, the physiotherapist is widely considered one of the top three specialists in the world, alongside Fabrizio Borra and Rafael Maymó.
A departure that came at a tense moment
Ronaldo’s private jet reportedly left Saudi Arabia on March 3 — shortly after a drone attack targeted the U.S. embassy in Riyadh.
The incident came amid escalating hostilities following the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Iranian retaliation has reportedly targeted American military bases and facilities across several countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
While Ronaldo’s departure is officially linked to injury treatment, the timing has inevitably drawn attention.
How long will Ronaldo be out?
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Portuguese superstar could miss two to four weeks.
That timeline puts his participation in Portugal’s upcoming international matches in doubt:
- Portugal vs Mexico — March 29
- Portugal vs United States — April 1
Ronaldo is reportedly determined to return as soon as possible.
Al Nassr’s title race continues
Al Nassr confirmed that Ronaldo has already started a rehabilitation program and will undergo daily medical checks.
The forward will definitely miss the upcoming match against Neom SC. Another league fixture against Al‑Khaleej is scheduled for March 14, while the following matches take place in April.
Despite Ronaldo’s absence, Al Nassr currently sits top of the league table, holding a two-point lead as the title race intensifies.
Will Ronaldo return soon?
Even if Ronaldo recovers within a month, the situation in the region could remain uncertain.
According to reports from Politico citing internal Pentagon documents, U.S. officials expect the confrontation with Iran to potentially last at least 100 days.
If the conflict continues to escalate, it remains unclear whether Ronaldo will feel comfortable returning to Saudi Arabia under such circumstances.
Published by Patrick Jane
08.03.2026