Washington, D.C. — Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday night attended a White House state dinner hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump, joining Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at one of the administration’s most high-profile diplomatic events.
A White House official confirmed earlier in the day that Ronaldo would be present, though it remained unclear whether he was part of the Crown Prince’s formal delegation.
Trump described it as “an honor” to host Ronaldo, praising him as a central figure in Saudi Arabia’s fast-moving modernization drive under Vision 2030. Ronaldo’s role in the Saudi Pro League, he said, has transformed the kingdom’s global sporting profile.
The Crown Prince is in Washington for a series of meetings and negotiations with Trump, including discussions over a potential sale of U.S. F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia — a deal that has raised concern in Israel. Earlier on Tuesday, Trump received the Crown Prince in the Oval Office for formal talks.
During his dinner remarks, Trump praised the United States’ “close and strategic” ties with Saudi Arabia, calling the kingdom “a great ally — even if it’s not part of NATO.”
Turning to the Portuguese star, Trump added: “My son is a huge Ronaldo fan. Barron has met him now — I think he’s going to brag about this for a long time.”
The event also brought together a heavy lineup of corporate leaders. Tech billionaire Elon Musk attended the dinner, joining Apple CEO Tim Cook and other influential business figures. It was Musk’s first visit to the White House since stepping down from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in April.
Ronaldo, who is believed to be visiting the U.S. for the first time since 2016, remains at the center of one of the most lucrative contracts in sports history. Reports indicate he previously earned about $200 million annually in Saudi Arabia — more than $500,000 per day. In June, he signed a new two-year extension worth $400 million, becoming the first footballer to reach billionaire status. Bloomberg estimates its net worth at roughly $1.4 billion.
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Hornpost staff Reporter
