Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was notably present at a high-profile diplomatic meeting held at the White House on November 18. The gathering involved then-US President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. This appearance also marked the fulfillment of a long-held personal desire for the acclaimed athlete, reported to be 40 years old at the time, to meet with the 47th President of the United States.
President Trump formally welcomed the Saudi Arabian leader to American soil for the discussions. The high-level talks between President Trump and the Saudi Crown Prince were widely perceived as a significant effort to restore global standing and diplomatic ties, particularly given the strained relations that had existed since 2018. This specific visit marked the first time the Saudi Crown Prince had traveled to the United States in seven years, a period following the controversial killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey. While US intelligence agencies had asserted that Prince Bin Salman was implicated in the journalist’s death, President Trump had previously spoken in defense of the Crown Prince concerning the 2018 incident.
During the same White House gathering, which included a formal dinner for American and Saudi dignitaries hosted by the 79-year-old President, the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo garnered significant attention. It is understood that the globally recognized football star was likely accompanying Crown Prince Bin Salman as part of the official delegation.
It is widely acknowledged that wherever the Portuguese captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, appears, he invariably commands immense public attention. The player, currently a prominent figure for Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr club and formerly of Real Madrid and Manchester United, had previously expressed a profound desire to meet and engage in direct discussions with President Trump concerning issues of world peace. This ambition was notably articulated during an interview with renowned journalist Piers Morgan. Remarkably, less than two weeks after this interview, the Portuguese football icon saw his dream realized as he met President Trump during the aforementioned high-stakes meeting between American and Saudi leaders.
In his interview with Morgan, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner had described President Trump as a truly special individual possessing the power and influence to enact global change. Ronaldo himself considered the opportunity to meet President Trump as the ideal moment to delve into current global peace issues, further stating his profound respect for individuals of such high capability and influence.
Ronaldo’s presence, accompanying Prince Bin Salman as the five-time UEFA Champions League winner, is not an entirely unexpected development. Since his high-profile transfer to play in Saudi Arabia in 2023, Ronaldo has become an incredibly famous and influential sports personality within the Middle Eastern nation. The athlete, reported to be 40 years old, is considered by Saudi Arabia as a crucial figure in their ambitious efforts to develop and promote their sports sector, particularly football, on an international stage.
Furthermore, the Portuguese superstar regularly engages in various professional discussions and meetings with Crown Prince Bin Salman. This established relationship undoubtedly provided the former Manchester United player with the opportunity to accompany the Saudi Arabian Crown Prince during this important meeting on American soil, ultimately enabling him to fulfill his personal aspiration of meeting President Trump directly.
