Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez marry in private ceremony in Portugal

Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has married his long-time partner, model and influencer Georgina Rodríguez, in a civil ceremony in Portugal, according to multiple reports in Portuguese media.

The Portuguese striker appeared to confirm the news on his Instagram account on Thursday, posting a photograph of two hands — presumed to be his and his wife's — each wearing a wedding ring. The post had received more than 3 million likes within 30 minutes of being uploaded.

Portuguese media, calling it the 'wedding of the year', reported that the couple tied the knot on 11 August in the coastal town of Cascais, near Lisbon. Their five children were said to be in attendance at the private ceremony.

Ronaldo and Rodríguez have been together since 2016, when they met while Rodríguez was working as a sales assistant in a Gucci store in Madrid. The couple have two daughters together, Alana Martina and Bella Esmeralda, and share responsibility for Ronaldo's other children: Cristiano Jr., and twins Eva and Mateo.

The wedding comes at a time when Ronaldo's professional life is also in transition. The 39-year-old forward currently plays for Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, having moved there in late 2022 after leaving Manchester United. Rodríguez, a Spanish-born model and influencer, has accompanied Ronaldo to Riyadh, where the family now resides.

Despite the couple's high public profile, they have generally kept details of their personal lives private. The ceremony in Cascais was reported to be a low-key affair, with only close family and friends present. The choice of a civil ceremony, rather than a large religious wedding, is consistent with the couple's preference for discretion.

Ronaldo's Instagram post, which has since become one of his most-liked uploads, shows two hands resting on what appears to be a table, with matching gold wedding bands visible. The image carries no caption, but the implied confirmation has been widely welcomed by fans and well-wishers.

Rodríguez has also shared glimpses of the occasion on her own social media accounts, though neither she nor Ronaldo has issued an official statement. The couple's representatives have not commented on the reports.

The marriage marks a formal step in a relationship that has been closely followed by tabloids and fans alike. Ronaldo, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, has scored more than 800 career goals and won numerous domestic and international titles, including five Ballon d'Or awards. Rodríguez, who has over 40 million followers on Instagram, has built a successful career in modelling and brand endorsements.

The family is expected to continue living in Saudi Arabia, where Ronaldo's contract with Al Nassr runs until 2025. The club has not issued a comment on the marriage.

The wedding has been a trending topic on social media, with fans and celebrities alike sending congratulations. While the couple have often shared photographs of their family life, they have been careful to maintain boundaries between their public and private spheres.

Portuguese law allows civil marriages to be performed by a registrar, often at a municipal building or another authorised location. The choice of Cascais, a scenic town on the Portuguese Riviera, reflects the couple's connection to Portugal, where Ronaldo grew up and began his career.

As of Friday, neither Ronaldo nor Rodríguez had made a further statement. The Instagram post, however, appears to speak for itself.