Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo was one of the surprise guests at a lavish White House dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump in honor of visiting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). The football superstar, now 40, was seated near the front of the East Room alongside senior officials, business leaders, and other dignitaries, including Apple CEO Tim Cook and Tesla founder Elon Musk.
Ronaldo, known for his record-breaking career in Europe, has spent the past four seasons playing for Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr, which is majority-owned by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund chaired by MBS. Since joining the Riyadh-based club in 2023, Ronaldo has scored 83 goals with 17 assists in 84 starts, becoming the face of the Saudi league and featuring in promotional campaigns for the Saudi Tourism Authority.
Why Ronaldo Attended the White House Dinner
Ronaldo’s presence at the White House underscores his connection to Saudi Arabia, where he is in the final stage of his professional career. After a glittering two-decade run in European football, Ronaldo signed a two-year extension with Al Nassr in June, signaling that Saudi Arabia will likely be the final chapter of his playing career.
During the dinner, Ronaldo was seated near the front of the room, close to where Trump and MBS addressed officials from both countries. The football icon also took a selfie at the event, further cementing his status as a global celebrity.
Trump Praises Ronaldo
In his remarks at the dinner, Trump specifically acknowledged Ronaldo’s presence, highlighting that he introduced the footballer to his teenage son, Barron Trump, who is a huge fan.
“I think he respects his father a little bit more now, just the fact that I introduced you,” Trump said, thanking Ronaldo for attending.
Ronaldo on Trump
Ronaldo has spoken positively about Trump in recent interviews, calling him “one of the guys who can help change the world” and someone he wanted to meet.
“I think he can make things happen, and I like people like that,” Ronaldo said during an interview with Piers Morgan.
However, the football star also emphasized his global fame:
“People know me more than him. In the world, nobody’s more famous than me.”
Other Notable Guests
While Ronaldo was the only footballer present, FIFA President Gianni Infantino also attended the dinner. Infantino, who has previously appeared at events with Trump, is preparing for the FIFA World Cup 2026, which the US is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico. He is expected to attend the World Cup draw on December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, an event likely to be overseen by Trump.
Will Ronaldo Play in the 2026 World Cup?
Ronaldo has indicated that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be his last. The football legend has not played in the US since August 2014, when he appeared as a substitute for Real Madrid in an exhibition match against Manchester United in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Leave a Reply