Cristiano Ronaldo was a surprise guest at a White House state dinner hosted by President Donald Trump in honor of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday. The Portuguese football star, who currently plays for the Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr, was among a host of prominent figures from the realms of business, tech, and sports.
Ronaldo was seated near the front of the East Room, close to where Trump and the Crown Prince addressed officials and leading business figures from both countries. Other notable attendees included Apple CEO Tim Cook and Tesla founder Elon Musk. Musk's presence was particularly noteworthy, signaling a possible thaw in relations with Trump after a period of public disagreement. FIFA President Gianni Infantino was also present.
President Trump acknowledged Ronaldo's presence during his speech, stating that his youngest son, Barron, is a "big fan" of the football icon and was thrilled to meet 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," Trump joked.
Ronaldo's attendance at the dinner coincides with Saudi Arabia's increasing prominence in the world of sports, particularly football. He has played for Al Nassr since 2023, and his move to the Saudi club has been seen as a major coup for the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo's contract with Al Nassr extends to 2027. He has also publicly supported Saudi Arabia's bid to host the 2034 World Cup. In a recent interview, Ronaldo referred to MBS as "our boss [in Saudi Arabia]".
The Crown Prince's visit to the White House marks his first since diplomatic ties were strained in 2018, following the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that the crown prince likely ordered the operation, though he has denied any role.
Ronaldo's presence at the dinner sparked considerable buzz on social media. A selfie he took at the event, featuring his partner Georgina Rodriguez, Elon Musk, Gianni Infantino, and others, went viral.
The dinner menu included pistachio-crusted rack of lamb, followed by a couverture mousse pear for dessert.
