Cristiano Ronaldo made a dazzling appearance at a White House dinner on Tuesday, rubbing shoulders with some of the world’s most influential figures.
The soccer superstar, 40, arrived alongside his fiancée Georgina Rodriguez to welcome Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the U.S. capital.
The event was hosted by former President Donald Trump and drew a high-profile crowd from business, politics, and sports.
During his speech, Trump gave Ronaldo a special shoutout, noting his worldwide popularity and even joking about his own son’s admiration for the Portuguese footballer.
Selfies and Star Power
One of the evening’s highlights was a selfie captured by tech investor David Sacks, featuring Ronaldo, Sacks himself, Elon Musk, FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Rodriguez, and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick.
The photo quickly circulated online, with Sacks posting simply: “Great night!”
Ronaldo looked dapper in a classic black tuxedo and took his seat beside some of the most influential figures in global business and politics, including Musk and vice president JD Vance.
The event was a major public outing for the soccer icon on American soil.
Ronaldo’s First Public Appearance in the U.S. Since 2017
This dinner marked Ronaldo’s first U.S. public appearance since the 2017 allegations made by American teacher Kathryn Mayorga. She accused Ronaldo of sexual assault at a Las Vegas hotel in 2009.
Ronaldo has consistently denied the claims, and the lawsuit was dismissed in 2022 after issues with the accuser’s legal filings.
Since the allegations surfaced, Ronaldo has avoided any exhibition or off-season games in the United States while playing for Real Madrid, Juventus, Manchester United, and his current team Al-Nassr.
Saudi Crown Prince Makes First U.S. Visit
The dinner also coincided with the first visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the U.S. since intelligence reports suggested he approved the 2018 assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul.
Trump defended the Crown Prince during the visit, claiming he “knew nothing about it” despite previous reports from U.S. intelligence.
Ronaldo’s presence added another layer of attention to the high-profile gathering, bridging the worlds of sports, politics, and global business.
Ronaldo and Trump’s Growing Connection
Ronaldo has made no secret of his admiration for Trump.
Earlier this year, he gifted the former president a signed Portugal jersey that read: “To President Donald J. Trump, Playing for Peace.”
He also expressed his desire to meet Trump in interviews, praising him as someone who “can help to change the world” and make things happen.
With the U.S. hosting most of next summer’s World Cup, Ronaldo’s visit signals a potential new chapter in his engagement with the American public and political figures.
Upcoming Matches and Public Spotlight
The soccer star will be in the spotlight again next March when Portugal plays the United States in Atlanta in a friendly match.
His Washington visit comes on the heels of Portugal’s World Cup qualification, drawing renewed attention to both his footballing achievements and his public persona.
Meanwhile, the same day as the White House dinner, Congress voted nearly unanimously to release Justice Department files on the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, underscoring how high-profile figures and national news continue to dominate U.S. headlines.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s appearance at the White House blended football fame, political theater, and global diplomacy, reminding fans and critics alike that his influence stretches far beyond the soccer pitch.
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