Ronaldo Joins The Night Dinner At The White House With Trump And Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince

JAKARTA - Football star Cristiano Ronaldo was at the White House on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, local time, when President Donald Trump hosted a luxurious dinner in honor of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman.

The soccer star sat near the front of the East Space, not far from where President Trump and Crown Prince gave remarks to officials from the two countries, along with big business leaders, such as Apple CEO Tim Cook and Tesla founder Elon Musk.

Trump, in his speech, stressed the importance of giving awards to Ronaldo, whom he said introduced to his teenage son.

Ronaldo has been the face of the Saudi Arabian football league since joining Al Nassr at the end of 2022 with a reported contract worth 200 million US dollars per year.

The 40-year-old Portuguese star signed a two-year contract extension in June 2025 with Al Nassr, whose majority shares are owned by Saudi Arabia's state wealth funds chaired by the Crown Prince.

Trump thanked the athlete for his presence. He said that his youngest son, Barron, is a big fan of Ronaldo. The 19-year-old boy was impressed to be able to meet the footballer.

"Barron could meet him. I think he respects his father a little more, just because I introduce you," Trump said.

Prince Mohammed visited the White House for the first time since the diplomatic isolation period began in 2018 after the assassination of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi Arabian agents at a consulate office in Istanbul.

The United States intelligence agency (US) has determined that Prince Mohammed is most likely directing the operation. However, he denied involvement in the killings.

It will also be a rare visit to the US for Ronaldo, who has not played in the country since 2014.

In 2017, German magazine Der Spiegel reported that Ronaldo several years earlier had paid a silence of US$375,000 to a woman who accused of raping her at a hotel in Las Vegas in 2009.

Ronaldo's lawyer emphasized that the sex was carried out on the basis of consensual and no criminal charges have ever been filed.

Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup after its FIFA and president, Gianni Infantino, formed a fast lane offer process two years ago that helped ensure there was no counter offer.

Ronaldo promoted the offer, saying December last year when Saudi Arabia's victory was confirmed.

"After what I saw, I am increasingly convinced that 2034 will be the best World Cup ever," he said at the time.

Ronaldo will play in the sixth edition of the World Cup after Portugal qualified for the finals on Monday, November 17, 2025, early morning WIB, for a tournament jointly organized by the US, Canada, and Mexico.

However, he will likely be banned by FIFA for Portugal's first match in June 2026 after receiving his first red card last week in 23 seasons playing for the national team.

Portugal will find out their opponents at the World Cup on December 5, 2025, at the draw for the tournament, which Trump will attend at the Kennedy Center, Washington.

Trump is very supportive of the 2026 World Cup. In the Oval Room, he has a copy of the gold trophy that was lent to him by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.