Soccer icon Cristiano Ronaldo made a notable appearance at the White House on Tuesday, attending a high-profile dinner hosted by President Donald Trump in honor of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The event took place on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, Philippine time, marking Ronaldo's rare political engagement in the United States.
Elite Gathering in the East Room
The Portuguese football legend was positioned near the front of the East Room, close to where both President Trump and the Saudi Crown Prince delivered their remarks. The audience comprised U.S. and Saudi officials alongside prominent business leaders, including Apple CEO Tim Cook and Tesla founder Elon Musk.
During his speech, President Trump personally acknowledged Ronaldo's presence, revealing that he had introduced the athlete to his son, Barron. "I think he respects his father a little bit more now, just the fact that I introduced you," Trump joked to the crowd, adding that Barron is a "big fan" and had been thrilled to meet the football superstar.
Ronaldo's Saudi Connection and World Cup Ambitions
Ronaldo has become the face of the Saudi Pro League since joining Al-Nassr in late 2022 on a reported $200 million-a-year deal. The 40-year-old forward signed a two-year extension with the club in June. Notably, Al-Nassr is majority-owned by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, which Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman oversees.
The event also highlighted Saudi Arabia's sporting ambitions, as the kingdom is set to host the 2034 World Cup after FIFA's expedited bidding process left them as the sole candidate. Ronaldo has publicly supported the bid, stating last year that he believed it would produce "the best World Cup ever."
Political Context and Sporting Future
Prince Mohammed's visit marked his first trip to the White House since 2018, when relations between Washington and Riyadh became strained over the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi agents in Istanbul. U.S. intelligence agencies had concluded the crown prince likely ordered the operation, though he has denied these claims.
On the sporting front, Ronaldo is expected to achieve another milestone by playing in a record sixth World Cup next year after Portugal qualified for the 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. However, he is likely to miss Portugal's opening match due to a red card received last week—his first in 23 seasons with the national team.
Portugal will discover its group-stage opponents on December 5 during the tournament draw in Washington, which President Trump is scheduled to attend. The president has enthusiastically embraced the upcoming World Cup, even displaying a loaned replica of the trophy in the Oval Office.
This White House appearance represented a rare U.S. visit for Ronaldo, who last played in the country back in 2014. The event brought together sports, politics, and business in a gathering that underscored the evolving relationships between these global power centers.
