Cristiano Ronaldo Attends White House Dinner Honoring Saudi Crown Prince

WASHINGTON – Renowned soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo attended a prestigious dinner at the White House on Tuesday, hosted by President Donald Trump in honor of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Seated prominently in the East Room, Ronaldo was close to where the President and the Crown Prince delivered remarks to an audience that included officials from both nations as well as prominent business figures such as Apple CEO Tim Cook and Tesla founder Elon Musk.

During his speech, President Trump acknowledged Ronaldo, noting that he had introduced the soccer star to his teenage son, Barron. The President expressed gratitude for Ronaldo’s presence, mentioning that Barron is a “big fan” of the athlete and was thrilled to meet him. “Barron got to meet him, and I think he respects his father a little bit more now, just the fact that I introduced you,” Trump remarked.

Ronaldo has become synonymous with the Saudi soccer league since joining Al Nassr at the end of 2022 on a reported contract worth $200 million per year. In June, the 40-year-old Portuguese forward signed a two-year extension with the club, which is majority-owned by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund chaired by the Crown Prince.

This visit marks the Crown Prince’s first to the White House since the onset of diplomatic isolation in 2018, following the controversial killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents. U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that the Crown Prince likely directed the operation, a claim he has consistently denied.

The event also represents a rare opportunity for Ronaldo to be in the U.S., as he has not played in the country since 2014. In 2017, reports emerged that Ronaldo had previously paid $375,000 in hush money to a woman who accused him of rape in Las Vegas in 2009, allegations he has denied, asserting that the encounter was consensual.

Saudi Arabia is set to host the 2034 World Cup, a decision facilitated by a fast-track bidding process orchestrated by FIFA. Ronaldo publicly supported this bid, stating in December that he is convinced the 2034 tournament will be the best World Cup ever.

Next year, Ronaldo is expected to participate in a record sixth World Cup edition after Portugal qualified for the tournament co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. However, he may face a ban by FIFA for Portugal’s inaugural game due to receiving his first red card in 23 years of international play.

The World Cup draw, scheduled for December 5, will determine Portugal’s opponents, and President Trump is expected to be in attendance at the Kennedy Center in Washington for this event. The President has shown a strong commitment to the 2026 World Cup, keeping a copy of the golden trophy in the Oval Office, loaned by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.