Cristiano Ronaldo finally got his Oval Office moment this week, but not everyone in his massive fanbase was cheering.
The Portugal superstar visited Washington D.C. as part of a Saudi delegation hosted by President Donald Trump, snapping photos in the iconic office alongside the President.
While Ronaldo and his fiancée Georgina Rodriguez flaunted smiles—and a dazzling $3 million engagement ring—fans were quick to voice mixed reactions online.
Some celebrated the meeting as a bold and historic moment, while others saw it as a surprising misstep for the 40-year-old athlete.
Social Media Reacts with Shock and Humor
Ronaldo’s Instagram posts from the White House triggered a storm of opinions.
One fan lamented, “Been following and praising the GOAT since 2006.
I have never seen him take an L, let alone an L of this magnitude. Incredibly sad day.”
Other comments poked fun or made comparisons with rival Lionel Messi.
“If you needed more proof Messi is better, now you don’t have to question it ever again,” read one post.
Some fans were blunt: “Cristiano, this card was not good,” and “Bro, what are you doing there?”
Yet plenty of fans cheered him on, seeing courage in the encounter.
One wrote, “My president and my favorite player,” while another praised Ronaldo for not following the “manipulative, lying media” and thanked him for “supporting this great president.”
A Saudi Connection at the Heart of the Visit
Ronaldo wasn’t in Washington alone. He traveled with a Saudi delegation led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
This trip marked the Crown Prince’s first U.S. visit since intelligence reports tied him to the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
During the Oval Office meeting, Trump publicly defended Bin Salman, denying he had prior knowledge of Khashoggi’s murder and scolding reporters who pressed the issue.
Ronaldo’s presence alongside this controversial political backdrop added fuel to the debate among fans and observers alike.
Ronaldo’s U.S. Appearances Since 2017
This visit was also notable because Ronaldo has not been photographed publicly in the United States since 2017, following a high-profile rape allegation.
Kathryn Mayorga, a former American teacher, accused Ronaldo of sexual assault in a Las Vegas hotel in 2009.
Ronaldo has consistently denied the claims.
Mayorga reached an out-of-court settlement with Ronaldo in 2010 but renewed her accusations in 2017 seeking additional compensation.
The lawsuit was dismissed in 2022 after the court ruled that her legal team relied on stolen documents.
The Career of a Global Icon in Focus
Despite the controversy, Ronaldo remains one of the most famous athletes in the world, balancing a successful football career with global influence and endorsements.
This Oval Office visit has sparked discussion not just about politics, but about the role of athletes as public figures in a highly connected world.
Whether celebrated or criticized, this is another headline moment in Ronaldo’s long, high-profile career—a reminder that even global icons can spark divided opinion.
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