Ronaldo Flees Saudi for Madrid After Iranian Drone Hits U.S. Embassy

Cristiano Ronaldo’s private jet has departed Saudi Arabia for Madrid amid escalating Middle East tensions following a drone attack on the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, according to global flight tracking and news reports.

The luxury aircraft reported to be Ronaldo’s $81 million private jet, left Riyadh late Monday and was tracked heading to Madrid via Egypt and the Mediterranean.

The departure comes as the Middle East crisis intensifies. Two drones struck the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh early Tuesday, causing a limited fire and minor material damage, Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry said. No casualties were reported, and the embassy issued a “shelter-in-place” advisory for U.S. citizens in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran.

The incident reflects a broader pattern of Iranian drone and missile activity targeting U.S. diplomatic sites and allied bases in the Gulf in retaliation for recent U.S. and Israeli strikes.

Heightened security concerns have prompted foreign nationals and high-profile individuals in the region to reconsider their travel and safety plans, with private flights out of Saudi Arabia and neighbouring states reportedly increasing as tensions escalate.