Cristiano Ronaldo still in Saudi Arabia amid reports his private jet has left

Cristiano Ronaldo continues to train in Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr despite reports his private jet has left the country amid the Middle East conflict.

It was reported on Tuesday that a jet owned by the 41-year-old left Saudi Arabia on Monday night.

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Saudi Arabia, along with other Gulf states with United States military bases on their soil, has been the target of retaliatory strikes by Iran after the United States and Israel launched an attack on Saturday.

However, Ronaldo remains in the country, with his club Al Nassr posting an image of the Portuguese superstar in training ahead of a home match against Neom on Saturday.

The match is set to be played in Riyadh, where it was reported on Tuesday the US Embassy had been hit by Iranian drones.

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In the United Arab Emirates – another country targeted by Iran – players were forced to evacuate the court at an ATP Challenger event after a drone attack on a nearby oil terminal.

The ATP later confirmed play at the Fujairah Challenger had been suspended for the day following a security alert.

“In line with established security protocols, play was immediately halted and players, officials and staff were directed to designated safe areas,” an ATP spokesperson said.

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“The health, safety and well-being of our players, staff and tournament personnel is our priority. Following consultation with local authorities and security advisors, play has been cancelled for the remainder of the day as a precautionary measure.

“We continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide further updates as appropriate.”

Iran’s women’s football team opted not to sing the country’s national anthem when they lined up against South Korea in the Asian Cup in Australia on Monday.

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Iran lost the match 3-0 and will play the hosts in their second group match on Thursday.

The Middle East conflict could have an impact on the Finalissima match between European champions Spain and South American champions Argentina, scheduled to be played in Qatar on March 27.

Qatar, the host nation for the 2022 finals, is another Gulf nation which Iran has targeted.

A spokesperson for UEFA said on Thursday: “With regards to the Finalissima scheduled for March 27, UEFA is monitoring and carefully assessing all developments of the situation in co-operation with CONMEBOL (the South American confederation) and the local organising committee.”

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The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has urged UN member states to ensure athletes have safe passage to the Winter Paralympics, which begins on Friday in Italy.

It said: “We appeal to all UN Member States to support athletes who have qualified for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics, and who may be affected by the most recent conflicts, in their journey to these Games.”

The Paralympics are governed by a separate body, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), but the “aspirational and non-binding” Olympic Truce Resolution, tabled by the host nation and adopted by the UN member states, covers both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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The IOC holds Permanent Observer status at the UN, but has no means of enforcing the resolution.

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