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Featured Image Credit: Saudi Tourism Authority & Instagram@antonelaroccuzzo
Topics: Lionel Messi, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona
Josh Lawless
Topics: Lionel Messi, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona
Lionel Messi's wife Antonela Roccuzzo must follow strict rules in Saudi Arabia after making a visit to the Middle Eastern country.
Messi is an ambassador for Saudi tourism and reportedly earns around $25 million per year promoting the country.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner first visited the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia one year ago, touring Jeddah and experiencing the Red Sea in the flesh.
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He headed back for Paris Saint-Germain's friendly against a Riyadh XI captained by Cristiano Ronaldo and has now returned with a third visit with his other half and three children.
The trip is a contractually obliged one and was previously postponed on two occasions.
The Messi clan flew out after PSG's 3-1 defeat to Lorient but the visit was not authorised by the club, who have promptly suspended the Argentine ace for two weeks.
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A series of pictures have been posted of Messi and his family enjoying Saudi culture, including feeding a gazelle, getting up close and personal with a falcon, spending time at a luxury retail complex and experiencing fine dining at Al Bujairi Terrace.
Antonela, Messi's childhood sweetheart, is present in the snaps but has to follow a number of regulations in the country.
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In recent times, there have been improvements in regards to the rights and freedoms women have in Saudi, such as being able to vote and no separate entrances to restaurants.
But there are still some restrictions in place. Women must dress modestly, which forbids clothing which is tight fitted, see-through and has necklines on show.
There has been a relaxation when it comes to the abaya, the loose overgarment cloak, as it is no longer deemed compulsory in public.
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Many women opt for alternatives and Antonela has been doing just that by wearing jumpsuits but also dressing with the expected decorum.
When Ronaldo moved to Saudi and joined Al Nassr on a lucrative free transfer, it emerged that his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez would be prohibited from a number of activities.
El Periodico said she would be unable to import or consume alcohol or any pork products because she is a foreign woman.
In the month of Ramadan, which has just passed, the Argentine model is banned from eating, drinking or smoking in public places.
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If she wanted to attend holy pilgrimages like Mecca and Medina, she would have to receive permission to do so.
The Messi family could potentially join Ronaldo and his entourage in Saudi on a permanent basis, with reports that Al Hilal have lodged a official bid worth a mammoth £350 million.