With an influx of some of the top pro footballer players around the globe to Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Pro League has been put on the global map.
This year, a number of players from high performing European football clubs, including Real Madrid, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Chelsea and more, have made their way to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a slew of lucrative deals for different clubs across the Saudi Pro League.
With this rise in pro footballers has also seen an influx of their wives, girlfriends and families and GRAZIA is here to share all the details.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez
Cristiano Ronaldo and his girlfriend of seven years Georgina Rodriguez relocated to Saudi Arabia with their family earlier this year. The 38-year-old footballer signed with Riyadh-based club Al Nassr for a reported $200 million. The deal was described as “history in the making” by the club. Internationally, this pair are arguably the most well-known (after all, Ronaldo is the most followed person on Instagram).
Georgina herself has a loyal fan base and her very own Netflix show I Am Georgina. She’s also a firm favourite on the global fashion scene, most recently being announced as Guess’ global ambassador. Georgina, 29, is also partnering with homegrown brands and was unveiled as the face of Laverne, a well-known Saudi perfume label, earlier this year.
Karim Benzema and Jordan Ozuna
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema joined Saudi Pro League team Al-Ittihad a few months ago. When playing for the Spanish team, Benzema achieved two Copa del Rey championships, as well as four La Liga and five UEFA Champions League titles. As for his personal life, he is currently dating American model Jordan Ozuna.
Jordan Ozuna and Benzema made their initial official public appearance at the Ballon d’Or gala in May 2022. Speculations about their relationship began when Jordan was seen supporting the player during his Champions League final last year. In August, they confirmed their relationship on Instagram by posting a picture of them hugging. Earlier this year in April the couple welcomed their first child together. Benzema has three children from a previous relationship.
Following his move to Saudi, Jordan recently revealed that she had converted to Islam. In an exclusive interview with El Mundo, she shared, “I have researched a lot about this religion and find it beautiful. During Ramadan, I read the Qur’an, and it made me cry.” The model further commented that it was a beautiful yet sentimental ceremony. “I also read The Sacred Path to Islam, about a Christian who converts to Islam, like me. A really precious book,” she added. Benzema, who is a devout Muslim himself, supported her through the process.
Fabinho and Rebeca Tavares
Fábio Tavares, known as Fabinho, is a Brazllian footballer who is now signed to Al-Ittihad as a defensive midfielder, transferring from Liverpool. The pro player is now based in Jeddah with his wife, Rebeca Tavares.
Formerly a professional footballer herself, Rebeca played in Spain and then for AS Monaco FF, before she retired from the sport in 2018. Rebeca originally hails from the UK and began dating Fabinho in 2013. The pair then married in 2015 and welcomed their first child together, a son named Israel, in January 2023.
Riyad Mahrez and Taylor Ward
Algerian footballer Riyad Mahrez, who previously played for Leicester City and Manchester City, is currently signed as a winger to Al-Ahli. He relocated to Saudi Arabia with his fiancée Taylor Ward in July. Taylor, who is from the UK, started dating Mahrez in October 2020 and became engaged in June 2021, and welcomed their first child together, a daughter, in July 2022.
The 25-year-old runs a hugely successful Instagram account, boasting over two million followers, where she showcases her travels, lifestyle, fashion and beauty. She is also the co-founder of a jewellery brand Astalia which claims to be “waterproof, heatproof, anti-tarnish and lifetime guarantee”.
Roberto Firmino and Larissa Pereira
Roberto Firmino transferred from Liverpool to Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli last month. He married Larissa Pereira, who is also from Brazil, in June 2017.
They have four children together, all daughters. Larissa is very active on Instagram sharing regular updates about her family, life and more with her 540,000 followers.
