LISBON (BN24) — Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he will marry his long-time partner, Georgina Rodríguez, following the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Al-Nassr forward said the couple has decided to tie the knot next summer, describing their relationship as one built on trust, patience, and deep affection.
In part one of his new interview with British journalist Piers Morgan, Ronaldo revealed that the long-awaited wedding will take place after the World Cup a tournament he hopes to end by lifting the trophy with Portugal. “Not yet,” Ronaldo said when asked if the date had been set. “We plan to do it after the World Cup with the trophy! But she is not the person who likes big parties. She prefers private things. So I will respect these decisions.”
The revelation marks a milestone in a romance that began in 2016, when the couple reportedly met at a Gucci store in Madrid, where Rodríguez was working as a sales assistant. Their relationship has since grown into one of the most followed partnerships in global sports, marked by public devotion and shared family life.
Ronaldo, 40, proposed to Rodríguez earlier this year, confirming their engagement in August after nearly a decade together. The Argentine-Spanish model and influencer announced the news on Instagram, posting a photograph of her diamond ring with the caption: “Yes, I do. In this and in all my lives.” The post garnered millions of likes within hours, with fans and celebrities congratulating the couple.
Speaking to Morgan, Ronaldo reflected on the proposal and the emotions surrounding it. “One thing that I love is that she didn’t care about the ring,” he said. “She asked me if I was honest, and I said, ‘I want you, and I want to marry you.’ I didn’t cry, but I had tears in my eyes.”
Jewelry experts have since estimated the ring’s value at around £1.5 million. The piece, believed to feature a 15- to 20-carat diamond, was described by luxury engagement specialist Laura Taylor as “one of the most impressive rings in recent years.”
“A diamond of this size is almost certainly set in platinum for durability, which enhances its brilliance and gives it a timeless elegance,” Taylor explained. “If the diamond is natural and of top-tier quality within the D-F colour range and flawless or near-flawless in clarity, its value could easily exceed £1.5 million.”
Ronaldo and Rodríguez share two biological children and are raising three others from Ronaldo’s previous relationships. The family, who split their time between Riyadh and Madrid, often shares glimpses of their life on social media, including family vacations, birthdays, and the children’s milestones.
Rodríguez, 31, has carved out her own career as a model, entrepreneur, and television personality. She stars in the hit Netflix reality series I Am Georgina, which chronicles her life as a mother, businesswoman, and partner to one of the world’s most successful athletes. The show has drawn millions of viewers, offering an intimate look at her transformation from retail worker to global celebrity.
Despite their fame, Ronaldo emphasized that his future wife values privacy and simplicity. “She’s not someone who enjoys being the center of attention at big events,” he said. “Our wedding will reflect that something private, meaningful, and surrounded by the people we love.”
For Ronaldo, who is entering what could be his final World Cup, the marriage represents both a personal and symbolic closure to an extraordinary career. Having won five Ballon d’Or awards and numerous domestic and international titles, the Portuguese captain said his focus remains on achieving one last dream leading Portugal to another World Cup triumph.
The 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, may be Ronaldo’s last major tournament. If Portugal lifts the trophy, it would mark a historic finale for a player widely regarded as one of the greatest in football history.
The couple’s upcoming marriage has already become one of the most anticipated celebrity events of 2026, but true to their statements, it is expected to be a low-key affair attended only by close family and friends.
As Ronaldo told Morgan, the focus will not be on extravagance but on love, family, and the next chapter of a relationship that has already spanned nearly a decade. “Georgina is my home,” he said. “After football, she is my world.”
