Cristiano Ronaldo boosts family security with controversial bodyguard amid threats in Saudi Arabia

The Al-Nassr superstar, who resides in Riyadh with Rodriguez and their five children, decided to step up security measures after receiving a series of alarming threats on social media, reportedly prompting police involvement.

According to Malaysia's New Straits Times, the couple had been enjoying a relatively peaceful life in Saudi Arabia since Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr in 2023, often taking walks and outings with their children around Riyadh.

However, disturbing messages directed at the Portuguese star and Georgina recently have left the family on edge, leading Ronaldo to take further action.

Cristiano Ronaldo and his partner Georgina Rodriguez during a night out. Photo by Instagram/@georginagio

According to reports, Rodriguez is keen to limit their children's exposure on social media. While she and Ronaldo had previously shared glimpses of their family life on Instagram, this recent decision appears to be part of a broader security strategy aimed at protecting their children from potential threats.

The new head of security, Claudio Miguel Vaz, has built a name for himself in the private sector, boasting over 12,000 followers on Instagram. With parliamentary training and experience working in high-risk areas, he first established his reputation protecting music artists in Portugal’s troubled areas, including rapper NGA, Daily Mail reported.

Vaz later transitioned to football, providing security for Portuguese national team players such as Rafael Leao and Gelson Martins.

However, according to Marca, Ronaldo’s decision to bring in Vaz and dismiss his former security team has raised concerns among those close to the footballer. Sources suggest that Vaz’s "intimidating and aggressive" style marks a stark contrast to Ronaldo’s previous bodyguards.

People within Ronaldo’s inner circle reportedly worry that the bodyguard’s style does not align with the player’s image and lifestyle, as Vaz has already drawn criticism online for his heavy-handed tactics.

During Rodriguez's recent trip to Paris Fashion Week, for example, Vaz was seen disrupting photographers as she exited her vehicle. Using a bright flashlight to dazzle camera operators and prevent them from taking pictures, his actions sparked widespread backlash on social media.

Ronaldo is raising five children, two with Rodriguez and three from previous relationships. The family have been living in Saudi Arabia since Ronaldo joined Al Nassr in early 2023.