Two months after providing the platform for his extraordinary attack on Manchester United and the bitter split that followed, Piers Morgan was asked whether Cristiano Ronaldo was enjoying life in Saudi Arabia.

“Definitely,” Morgan said in an interview with Tatler.

‘I’ve exchanged a few messages with him and he’s absolutely loving it, on and off the pitch.’

When we look at the many privileges and luxuries Ronaldo has had in the Middle East, it’s not hard to see why.

After United terminated his contract last No’emƄer – a more than appropriate response to his deadly attack on the club in that explosive interview with Morgan – the five-year Ballon d’Or winner signed an eye-watering £10 contract. 175 million a year to go to Saudi in January, with Pro League club Al-Nassr sealing a huge coup for the country by getting their hands on one of the greatest players of all time.

Many fulfilled the role as, essentially, the end of their days in elite football.

With no top club interested in taking him from United – a damning indictment of their declining power – Ronaldo had no choice but to end his Champions League career and accept the millions from Saudi Arabia.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been ‘biting’ life in Saudi Arabia since moving to the country in January

Ronaldo completed an incredible £175m-a-year move to Al-Nassr after leaving Man United

Although the standard of football is mediocre at best, he has been treated like a king off the field

Ronaldo has enjoyed countless privileges and luxuries since arriving in the Middle East

The standard of football in the Pro League is mediocre at best, marking a significant drop in standard for a player who scored an astonishing 450 goals in 438 appearances for European titans Real Madrid.

However, world-class competition on the field is hardly a moʋe’s selling point for Saudi Arabia.

Because outside of that Ronaldo has been treated like a king in the country;

receiving £630,000 custom-made watches, staying in luxurious accommodation and even being exempt from one of their strictest laws.

It’s this lavish lifestyle that is tempting the likes of Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante to join him in Saudi Arabia this summer – and almost convinced Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi to join.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner is reportedly staying in an exclusive gated community with 24-hour security.

Shortly after arriving at Al-Nassr in January, Ronaldo received a unique £630,000 watch in recognition of his money transfer to Saudi Arabia.

Cristiano Ronaldo and his family are reportedly staying in an exclusive complex

Ronaldo also received a custom £630,000 Saudi-themed watch from Jacó &  Co

The unique watch, with a dark green Saudi theme to represent the country’s flag and its main religion, Islam, has 338 extremely rare gemstones engraved on it.

Ronaldo showed off the watch, which is a ‘Caʋiar Flying TourƄillon Tsaʋorite’ made up of 216 different components, 27 jewels and a 42-hour power reserve, in an eye-catching Instagram post

JacoƄ and Co’s unique watch, with a dark green Saudi theme to represent the country’s flag and its main religion, Islam, has 338 extremely rare gemstones engraved into it and is 18 carat white gold, with a size of 47 mm Ƅy 15.85 mm and a green alligator leather strap.

Ronaldo showed off the watch, which is a ‘Caʋiar Flying TourƄillon Tsaʋorite’ made up of 216 different components, 27 jewels and a 42-hour power reserve, in an eye-catching Instagram post.

Instead of emeralds, a traditional green gemstone, the watch contains tsa’orite, considered the most expensive and valuable garnet, which is brighter than emeralds and 200 times rarer.

The 37-year-old has added the glamorous timepiece to his expensive collection, with Mail Sport previously reporting that he has an incredible £5million watch collection – from a £1.6million diamond-encrusted Franck Muller to a Rolex GMT- £400,000 Master II.

Meanwhile, his longtime partner, Rodriguez, has been a hit on the Saudi Arabian social scene.

It is said that the coherence of her social debut at the Joy Awards far surpassed that of famous actress Sofia Vergara, who was named ‘Person of the Year’.

Tatler reports that Rodriguez has already garnered huge admiration in Saudi Arabia, with one person describing her as an ‘icon’ before she arrived.

His long-time partner, Georgina Rodriguez (right), has made a splash on the Saudi Arabian social scene

Rodriguez was described as a social ‘icon’ in Saudi Arabia before arriving in the country

Ronaldo also immersed himself in Saudi culture, visiting various events and events, including Dariyah Nights – a shopping, art and music festival – with Sports Minister Prince Adulaziz in Turki al-Faisal. He also attended Tommy Fury’s bullying confrontation with Jake Paul.

However, extravagant hotels, flashy watches and the country’s vibrant social scene aren’t the only perks of living in Saudi Arabia.

As first reported by Spanish publication SPORT, Ronaldo and Rodriguez appear to have broken Saudi law by living together despite not being married.

The 37-year-old met Rodriguez while he was playing for Real Madrid and they have two children together – Bella and Alana.

Ronaldo also has three other 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren – Cristiano Jr. and twins Eʋa and Mateo.

However, as in many other Muslim countries, Saudi law prohibits men and women from living together unless they are ‘mahram’ – an Arabic term referring to close family members or spouses.

Since they have not yet officially married, Ronaldo and Rodriguez appear to have broken this law while residing together in their Kingdom Suite.

Saudi law states that men and women cannot live together if they are not married, and Rodriguez and Ronaldo have not yet officially tied the knot.

The star attended the Ƅoxing match between Tommy Fury and Jake Paul Ƅack in February

However, the SPORT report stated that according to EFE – a Spanish news agency – Ronaldo’s status as one of the world’s most marketable athletes means he is unlikely to be punished.

Citing two separate Saudi lawyers, legal professionals hoped that the relevant authorities would not get involved in Ronaldo’s situation.

One of them said: ‘Although laws still prohibit cohabitation without a marriage contract, authorities are free to turn a blind eye and not persecute anyone. Of course these laws are used when there is a problem or a crime.’

A second added: ‘Saudi authorities today do not interfere in this matter [in the case of foreigners], but the law continues to prohibit cohabitation outside of marriage.’

Therefore, not only did Ronaldo receive expensive gifts and luxurious hotel suites, he is also exempt from Saudi law.

These privileges appear to be turning the heads of Benzema and Kante – the two World Cup winners destined to follow Ronaldo to the country this summer.

Messi has also experienced Saudi Arabia’s hospitality. The Argentine star, along with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo and sons Mateo and Ciro, enjoyed a series of outings on their visit to the country earlier this year.

His latest visit last month effectively ended his spell at Paris Saint-Germain, who briefly suspended their star forward after his unauthorized trip caused him to miss training with Christophe Galtier’s men.

Ronaldo could join famous Saudi rival Lionel Messi and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo

Lionel Messi, wife Antonela Roccuzzo and sons Mateo and Ciro pose with horses during their recent visit to Saudi Arabia

The family visited an amusement park in Riyadh as part of Messi’s ambassadorial role

Karim Benzema (left) recently signed for Al-Ittihad, with N’Golo Kante (right) also linked

Instead, Messi headed to Saudi Arabia for one of his business engagements as the country’s tourism ambassador.

Messi, Roccuzzo and their sons Mateo and Ciro were later photographed on a guided tour of the city of Diriyah, the original residence of the Saudi royal family.

They were also taken to the town of At-Turaif, on the outskirts of the capital Riyadh, with photos showing the family at the AraƄian Horse Museum.

Messi was also seen posing with a white falcon resting on his arm.

The Saudi Tourism Authority added that Messi and his family “visited the AlUla nature reserve, where he was seen feeding gazelles with Mateo and Ciro”.

On the second day of the trip, the family visited Riyadh’s entertainment and retail districts.

Messi signed a lucrative £25m-a-year deal with Saudi Arabia to promote the kingdom in May last year as a tourism ambassador.

All three players can expect the same royal treatment that Ronaldo has enjoyed so far in Saudi Arabia

The holiday marked his second trip to office, having previously visited Jeddah shortly after the deal was reached.

He has now been offered a lucrative contract by Al Hilal as he prepares to leave PSG, although MLS club Inter Miami are also rooting for his signature.

Benzema has already been announced by Al-Ittihad after signing an incredible £258 million contract with the Saudi national team following his departure from Real Madrid at the weekend.

Meanwhile, Kante is close to joining his French compatriot at Al-Ittihad on a two-year deal worth £172m as he prepares to wave goodbye to Chelsea.

While they shouldn’t expect fireworks on the pitch, the trio can prepare for the same royal treatment that Ronaldo received in Saudi Arabia.