Cristiano Ronaldo and his partner, Georgina Rodriguez, have reportedly overhauled their personal security arrangements in Saudi Arabia, replacing their chief bodyguard and dismissing previous staff following a series of alarming threats made against them on social media.
The Portuguese football icon, who currently resides in Riyadh with Rodriguez and their five children, has taken the threats seriously -- prompting police involvement and a significant tightening of security around the family.
According to Malaysia’s New Straits Times, the couple had been enjoying a relatively quiet and peaceful life in Saudi Arabia since Ronaldo’s high-profile move to Al-Nassr in 2023, often seen out and about with their children in the capital city. However, disturbing messages aimed at both Ronaldo and Rodriguez have recently raised concerns, leading them to reassess their safety measures.
As part of this strategy, Rodriguez is reportedly taking steps to reduce their children’s presence on social media. The couple had previously shared moments of their family life online, but are now opting for a more private approach in light of ongoing threats.
Their new head of security, Claudio Miguel Vaz, is a seasoned professional with a background in high-risk protection. According to the Daily Mail, Vaz first gained prominence safeguarding musicians in Portugal's more dangerous neighbourhoods, including rapper NGA, before moving into football security. He has since worked with prominent Portuguese players like Rafael Leao and Gelson Martins.
Vaz brings military-style training and has built a social media following of over 12,000, but his aggressive and confrontational style has raised eyebrows. As reported by Marca, sources close to Ronaldo have expressed concern over Vaz’s "intimidating" approach, which significantly contrasts with the footballer’s typically calm and polished public image.
Criticism mounted during Georgina Rodriguez’s recent appearance at Paris Fashion Week, where Vaz was caught on camera using a high-powered flashlight to block photographers as she exited her car—an incident that sparked backlash across social media platforms.
Ronaldo and Rodriguez are raising five children together -- two of their own and three from Ronaldo’s previous relationships -- and have been living in Saudi Arabia since his move to Al-Nassr in early 2023.
