Cristiano Ronaldo Gets a Camel as Engagement Gift Because Apparently Saudi Arabia Does Things Differently

Well, folks, we’ve officially seen everything now. Just when you thought celebrity engagement gifts couldn’t get any weirder than whatever the Kardashians are up to, Saudi journalist Ibrahim Al Faryan decided to raise the bar – or should we say, raise the hump? The media personality has gifted Cristiano Ronaldo an actual camel to celebrate his engagement to Georgina Rodriguez. Yes, you read that right. A camel. Not a watch, not a car, not even a golden football. 

A genuine, four-legged, desert-dwelling camel

Let’s rewind a bit. Ronaldo’s engagement announcement sent shockwaves through the football world and beyond. The Portuguese superstar finally popped the question to his long-time partner, Georgina Rodriguez, with what can only be described as a jaw-dropping 35-carat diamond ring. Rodriguez confirmed the engagement with an Instagram post captioned “Yes, I do. In this and in all my lives.” – because apparently one lifetime of dealing with Ronaldo’s ego wasn’t enough.

The couple’s love story reads like something out of a romantic comedy, if romantic comedies involved billionaire footballers and former Gucci sales assistants. They met in 2016 in Madrid when Rodriguez was working at Gucci and Ronaldo was still terrorizing La Liga defenders for Real Madrid. She’s described it as “love at first sight,” though we’re pretty sure the sight of his bank account didn’t hurt either.

Al Faryan’s Unconventional Congratulations Gift

Dr. Ibrahim Al Faryan, clearly not content with sending a simple congratulations card, took to Twitter to announce his unique wedding gift. “My dear friend, this is my gift to you on the occasion of your marriage. We were all very happy with the news, my dear. Your gift will be in Riyadh upon your return. Congratulations to you and Georgina,” he wrote, presumably while looking at his camel catalog.

Now, before you start rolling your eyes and muttering about cultural differences, there’s actually some method to this madness. In Saudi Arabia, camels aren’t just animals – they’re living, breathing symbols of wealth, honor, and heritage. It’s like giving someone a Rolex, except the Rolex can survive in the desert and occasionally spits on people. By offering Ronaldo a camel, Al Faryan is essentially welcoming him into Saudi society with one of the highest honors possible.

Why Camels Matter More Than You Think in Saudi Culture

Here’s where things get interesting, and where Ronaldo might actually appreciate this gift more than his collection of Ballon d’Ors. Camels in Saudi Arabia aren’t just transportation – they’re status symbols on four legs. These desert ships represent prestige, tradition, and deep cultural roots. Some prize camels can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, making them more expensive than most people’s houses.

Al Faryan isn’t exactly new to making grand gestures for football stars either. Back in 2023, he gifted Brazilian midfielder Fabinho a luxury Rolex watch after his debut for Al-Ittihad following his move from Liverpool. The moment went viral faster than Ronaldo’s celebration dance, so clearly, the man knows how to make an impression.

Ronaldo’s Saudi Arabian Adventure Continues

Since joining Al-Nassr in 2022, Ronaldo has been living his best life in Saudi Arabia, scoring goals, collecting paychecks that would make small countries jealous, and apparently now becoming a camel owner. The move to the Saudi Pro League raised eyebrows initially, with critics suggesting he was just chasing money in his twilight years. But honestly, if someone offered you millions to play football in the desert while getting gifted exotic animals, wouldn’t you take it too?

The Portuguese legend has adapted remarkably well to life in the Middle East, bringing his family along for the ride. Rodriguez seems to have embraced their new lifestyle, frequently sharing glimpses of their lavish Saudi existence on social media. Though we’re curious to see how she’ll incorporate camel care into her Instagram aesthetic.

The Internet’s Predictably Wild Reaction

As expected, social media exploded with reactions ranging from bewildered confusion to genuine admiration for the cultural gesture. Memes started flooding Twitter faster than you could say “SIUUU,” with fans joking about Ronaldo’s expanding zoo and wondering if the camel would get its own jersey number.

Some users questioned the practicality of the gift – after all, where exactly does one keep a camel in a Riyadh mansion? Others praised Al Faryan for honoring Ronaldo with such a culturally significant present. The beauty of the internet is that everyone gets to have an opinion, even about celebrity camel ownership.