The football legend, Cristiano Ronaldo, has expressed his love and appreciation to Saudi Arabia, voicing strong support for the Kingdom’s efforts to promote tourism under Vision 2030.
Speaking at the TOURISE 2025 global forum in Riyadh via video conference, Ronaldo said that he considers himself Saudi, stressing confidence in his decision to move to the Kingdom.
“I moved to Saudi three years ago because I believe in a project, I believe in football, I believe the people, I believe in the league that they have a huge potential,” he said.
As the face of Saudi “Unreal Calendar” tourism campaign, Ronaldo highlighted the great progress made in this sector. “Also, the tourism which for me it’s very, very important and if you can see [in] the [past] years they [grew] a lot. So, I am hoping I am part of that,” the Portuguese player said.
“As I say to the many Saudi people I am one of them, I am a Saudi guy,” Ronaldo added.
Al Nassr superstar also revealed his favorite destinations in Saudi Arabia. “I love AlUla and the Red Sea project, I have house there, so it’s a place that I feel in peace,” Ronaldo noted, adding that Saudi Arabia has “so many good places.”
During the session The Goal Beyond the Game, Football Champion @Cristiano Ronaldo shared his favourite destinations in Saudi. #TOURISE25 #FutureOfTourism pic.twitter.com/UjTLzyKghF
— TOURISE (@TOURISEofficial) November 11, 2025
Moreover, the football star supported Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2034, saying that he wanted to be part of that major event. “I want to be part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to host the World Cup,” he noted.
Ronaldo also spoke about retirement, suggesting that he could retire in one or two years.
Running from November 11-13, TOURISE 2025 is a key platform gathering leaders in tourism, investment and innovation from all over the world to build a sustainable, equitable, and future-focused tourism sector.
