Cristiano Ronaldo and his family are featured in Al-Nasser/from Al-Nasser's Twitter
Quite a few footballers have moved to Saudi Arabia in the past year for the big money, but in England it is reported that the wives of footballers, the WAGS, tell how they were abused in public, were shouted at and even encountered refusal to enter shops and restaurants because of their clothing - which made some of the players and their wives doubt their future in the country and whether to extend contract.
The conservative Islamic state has recently attracted a string of world-class players on astronomical salaries, led by Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar - while dozens of lesser-known footballers have also been signed by clubs as part of the Saudi ambition to rapidly develop the industry.
At home she is like that.
Georgina/Official Website, Instagram
She is outside with her head covered.
Rodriguez/GettyImages, FAYEZ NURELDINE
But despite the huge salaries on offer and the luxurious life, not everything is rosy for the actors' wives, who feel "isolated and vulnerable".
In an extensive article in the "Daily Mail", spouses of several actors talk about the difficulties of dealing with the Saudi culture - when of course they maintain anonymity and speak anonymously for fear of harming them or their spouses.
According to them, they walk around the street in real fear, afraid to be seen in public, anxious about how to dress and even feel "threatened" if they look "too Western".
One of the WAGS told the Daily Mail: "It's very difficult for foreign women in Saudi Arabia, especially if the locals feel you're not dressed properly. I was once yelled at just because my shoulders and part of my legs were exposed.
"We're not allowed to wear shorts in public, despite the heat.
You can't even wear them on the beach.
And if you do, people look at you like they hate you.
It can be very intimidating."
Natalia Lilic, wife of Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinovic-Savic
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Another said: "I was turned away from a shopping mall just because my upper arms and shoulders were not covered and part of my chest could be seen when I was wearing a vest. People told me to leave and come back only when I was dressed properly. Sometimes women shout at you, harass you, it can be very scary. ... When it comes to women, the culture here is very different and they are very strict. If you are not covered properly, you may have a hard time outside."
A third soccer player's wife said: "You can't just behave naturally like in the West. You have to be on your guard every time you leave the house - so you tend not to go out."
Their fears of public criticism are quite justified: Saudi Arabia has severe penalties for anyone who criticizes the nation or Islam, which can lead to up to five years in prison, deportation and a fine of more than £600,000. Famous
WAGS in Saudi Arabia include Virgina Rodriguez (Cristiano Ronaldo's wife); Jordan Ozuna, Karim Benzema's girlfriend; Natalia Lelic, wife of Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinovic-Savic, and Valerisa Pereira, wife of former Liverpool star Roberto Firmino.
Until recently It was mandatory under Saudi law for all women, including foreigners, to cover their hair and wear an abaya, a long black robe. This was abolished in 2019 but the vast majority of Saudi women still go out in public in traditional dress, which is the cultural norm.
The Firmino couple
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Flee from Saudi Arabia.
Henderson/GettyImages, Yasser Bakhsh
Riyadh, the capital, is more liberal than many other Saudi cities and boasts dozens of world-class restaurants and luxury shopping malls.
It is an international city with skyscrapers and prestigious residential districts, and it is leading the push for the Saudis to open up more culturally, develop the economy and improve women's rights, a plan known as "Vision 2030".
The families live in closed, well-kept neighborhoods, where you can dress more freely, spend time in fancy restaurants, but not all that glitters is gold.
Despite the more liberal atmosphere of Riyadh and some of Saudi Arabia's other major urban centers, change is happening slowly.
Homosexuality in the country is illegal, and those who commit it risk the death penalty, life imprisonment, flogging, fines and deportation.
Unmarried heterosexual couples are not allowed to live together under the same roof.
Remember, the Saudi authorities made an exception for Ronaldo and Georgina.
One of the players' wives said: "It's easier for the high-profile WAGs because they can move around more freely, but we're stuck in enclosures. Our owners may earn relatively fantastic wages, but we pay a high price."
As you may remember, Leo Messi's wife, Antonella, made it clear that she was not ready to move to Saudi Arabia and insisted that he refuse an amazing contract of one billion euros for two years at Al Hilal, preferring the "beach life" of Miami.
According to this article, she may not be the only one.
More on the same topic:
Saudi Arabia
Georgina Rodriguez