“Thank you, Mr. President, for the invitation and the warm reception you and the First Lady gave to me and my future wife. Each of us has something meaningful to offer, and I am ready to do my part as we inspire new generations to build a future defined by courage, responsibility, and lasting peace,” emphasised the forward and captain of the national team in a post on social media.
Cristiano Ronaldo attended a dinner hosted by the US head of state, on the same day Donald Trump welcomed Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Prime Minister, Crown Prince, and head of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which manages Al Nassr, the Portuguese player's club, coached by Jorge Jesus and also featuring Joao Felix.
On social media, the White House shared images of Ronaldo and Trump, walking through the presidential portrait gallery and visiting the Oval Office, always accompanied by the Spanish-Argentine Georgina Rodriguez, Ronaldo's partner.
The record-holder for goals and appearances with the Portuguese national team visited the White House just two days after Portugal qualified for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place from June 11 to July 19 next year and, for the first time, will feature 48 teams in a unique joint organisation between the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The player had already expressed interest in meeting Trump in a recent interview with British journalist Piers Morgan, published on November 6: “He’s one of the people I want to meet, I’d love to have a good conversation with him. I really like him because he’s someone who knows how to make things happen.”
Since arriving in Saudi Arabia in January 2023, Ronaldo has taken on a role promoting the country, and his meeting with the US leader coincided with Mohammed bin Salman’s first official visit to Washington in seven years.
The Crown Prince of the Middle Eastern kingdom sought formal assurances from the White House regarding US military protection, as well as military acquisitions, after Trump announced the sale of technologically advanced F35 fighter jets.
Mohammed bin Salman announced an increase in Saudi investments in the United States to nearly one trillion dollars (over 860 billion euros), strengthening the previously planned investment of around 600 billion dollars (518 billion euros) in sectors such as technology and artificial intelligence.
Cristiano Ronaldo became the third Portuguese athlete to make an official visit to the White House, following marathon runner Carlos Lopes, gold medalist at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games, who was received by Ronald Reagan, and basketball player Neemias Queta, NBA champion with the Boston Celtics in 2024.
