High-Profile Dinner at the White House
On Tuesday evening, the East Room of the White House played host to a high-profile dinner organized by President Donald Trump to honor Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Among the notable guests was soccer icon Cristiano Ronaldo, who sat prominently in the room as Trump delivered remarks, highlighting the intersection of international diplomacy and sports.
Trump’s Remarks and Ronaldo’s Influence
During his speech, Trump expressed gratitude for Ronaldo’s presence, further noting that his youngest son, Barron, is an admirer of the soccer star. He jovially mentioned how meeting Ronaldo might have inspired Barron to think more highly of 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.”
Ronaldo’s Impact in Saudi Sports
Ronaldo, at age 40, has become a significant figure in Saudi sports since his lucrative move to Al Nassr at the end of 2022, securing a contract estimated at $200 million per year. He recently extended this agreement for two more years in June, with Al Nassr being predominantly owned by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund chaired by the Crown Prince.
Diplomatic Context and Controversies
This dinner marked Prince Mohammed’s first visit to the White House since the onset of a diplomatic rift in 2018, following the controversial murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in a Saudi consulate. U.S. intelligence services reported that the Crown Prince likely directed the assassination, a claim he has consistently denied.
For Cristiano Ronaldo, this event is also notable as it marks one of his few appearances in the U.S., with his last match on American soil dating back to 2014. In addition to his impressive soccer career, Ronaldo was implicated in controversy back in 2017, when it surfaced that he had allegedly paid $375,000 to silence claims from a woman regarding a sexual assault accusation from 2009, which his legal team has maintained was consensual.
Looking Ahead: The 2034 World Cup
Looking ahead, Ronaldo discussed Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the 2034 World Cup. Following FIFA’s expedited bidding process, he voiced confidence in their preparations, proclaiming last December:
“After what I see, I’m more convinced that 2034 will be the best World Cup ever.”
His participation in the upcoming tournament will mark his sixth World Cup, with Portugal recently qualifying for the event to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. However, with his recent red card in a national team match, he may face a suspension for Portugal’s opening game.
Trump’s Involvement in the 2026 World Cup
As excitement builds for the 2026 World Cup, Trump is actively involved, having kept a gold trophy from FIFA on display in the Oval Office. The draw for the World Cup groups will take place on December 5, an event that he plans to attend at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
