Cristiano Ronaldo was a high-profile guest at a glittering White House dinner hosted by President Donald Trump on Tuesday evening. The event, intended to honour Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, brought together senior political figures, global business leaders, and prominent cultural icons, including Apple CEO Tim Cook and Tesla founder Elon Musk.
Ronaldo was seated at the front of the East Room, directly in the line of sight as Trump and the Crown Prince addressed their guests. During his remarks, Trump emphasised Ronaldo’s presence and revealed a personal connection: he had introduced the footballer to his 19-year-old son, Barron Trump.
“Barron is a devoted fan of Ronaldo,” the president said. “Wherever Ronaldo goes, my son wants to be there. Today, he met him face-to-face, and I think it has earned me a bit more respect at home.”
The relationship between Ronaldo and Trump is longstanding. In June, Ronaldo sent a signed jersey, which was presented to Trump in Alberta, Canada, by Portugal’s former Prime Minister António Costa. More recently, Ronaldo praised Trump in an interview with Piers Morgan, calling him “someone capable of effecting or supporting significant change in the world.”
The dinner carried considerable diplomatic significance. Prince Mohammed’s visit marks a thaw in U.S.-Saudi relations, which had been tense since the 2018 assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul—a killing widely attributed to the Crown Prince by U.S. intelligence, though he has consistently denied involvement.
For Ronaldo, the visit marked his first return to the U.S. since 2014. He is set to return next year for the 2026 World Cup, with the group-stage draw scheduled for 5 December at the Kennedy Centre in Washington. President Trump is expected to attend the draw, reflecting his personal enthusiasm for the tournament and his continued engagement in global sports diplomacy.