"This room is loaded up with the biggest leaders in the world – business, sports, you name it," Trump said, gesturing broadly to the assembled dignitaries. "My son is a big fan of Ronaldo... Barron got to meet him, and I think he respects his father a little bit more now – just the fact that I introduced you. So I just want to thank you both for being here." The comment elicited laughter and applause from the crowd, underscoring Ronaldo's enduring global appeal even amid his role as a de facto ambassador for Saudi Arabia's sports ambitions.
Ronaldo, 40, arrived in Washington as part of the Saudi delegation, accompanied by his fiancée, Georgina Rodríguez, a Spanish model and influencer. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr in December 2022 on a record-breaking contract reportedly worth over $200 million annually, has become synonymous with the kingdom's Vision 2030 diversification strategy. His presence at the dinner highlighted the intersection of sports, soft power, and geopolitics, as Saudi Arabia leverages high-profile athletes to enhance its international image. In a recent interview with British broadcaster Piers Morgan, Ronaldo himself described Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as "our boss," signaling his alignment with the regime.
The event was more than a social affair; it capped a day of high-stakes bilateral meetings aimed at revitalizing U.S.-Saudi ties. Trump greeted the crown prince on the South Lawn with a military flyover by F-35 jets – a nod to a newly announced $100 billion arms deal that includes the sale of advanced fighter aircraft to Riyadh. The leaders also discussed a sweeping $1 trillion investment pledge from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) into American infrastructure, technology, and energy sectors, including potential collaborations on artificial intelligence and green energy transitions. Trump further elevated Saudi Arabia's status by designating it a "major non-NATO ally," a symbolic but strategic move granting enhanced defense and trade privileges.
Notably absent from the evening's discourse was any mention of the 2018 murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi dissident killed by agents in Istanbul in an operation U.S. intelligence has long attributed to the crown prince's direct approval – a claim Riyadh has vehemently denied. Trump dismissed lingering concerns with a curt "Things happen," echoing his first-term defense of the kingdom despite global backlash. Critics, including human rights advocates, decried the warm reception as a prioritization of economic gains over accountability, with Amnesty International issuing a statement Tuesday night calling it "a betrayal of Khashoggi's legacy."
The guest list read like a who's who of global influence, blending Silicon Valley titans, Wall Street moguls, and sports luminaries. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, was spotted in animated conversation with Ronaldo, later joining the soccer star for a widely shared selfie that also featured Rodríguez, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and tech investor David Sacks. Other attendees included Apple CEO Tim Cook, Nvidia's Jensen Huang, AMD's Lisa Su, Dell's Michael Dell, General Motors' Mary Barra, and Citigroup's Jane Fraser, many of whom have deep business entanglements with Saudi sovereign wealth funds. Political figures rounded out the evening, with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and even Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., mingling among the crowd.
For Ronaldo, the visit carried personal weight. It marked his first return to the U.S. since 2017, when German magazine Der Spiegel published leaked documents alleging he paid $375,000 in hush money to Kathryn Mayorga, a former Las Vegas teacher who accused him of raping her in a hotel suite in 2009. Ronaldo has consistently denied the claims, insisting the encounter was consensual, and no criminal charges were ever filed. A subsequent civil lawsuit was dismissed in 2022 due to "misconduct" by Mayorga's legal team, including the unauthorized release of confidential documents. Legal experts note that the statute of limitations had long expired, but the scandal effectively sidelined Ronaldo from American engagements for years. His last stateside appearance was a 2014 preseason match for Real Madrid in Michigan.
Ronaldo's integration into Saudi Arabia's orbit has transformed him into more than just a player; he's a key player in the kingdom's "sportswashing" efforts to rehabilitate its image amid criticisms over human rights, including the jailing of activists and restrictions on women's rights. Since signing with Al-Nassr, Ronaldo has starred in promotional campaigns for Saudi tourism and even hosted events tied to the kingdom's successful bid for the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Infantino, a close ally of both Trump and the crown prince, praised the gathering as a "bridge between cultures" during informal toasts, emphasizing soccer's role in fostering global unity ahead of the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Trump's affinity for soccer has grown markedly since his return to the Oval Office. The president has hosted multiple FIFA events at the White House and even lingered onstage during the 2025 Club World Cup trophy presentation, drawing bemused reactions from players. In turn, Ronaldo has voiced admiration for Trump, telling Morgan he views the president as "one of the guys who can help change the world" and expressing a desire for a private sit-down on "peace." Their eventual meeting – a brief pre-dinner handshake and photo op – symbolized this mutual respect, with Trump later quipping to reporters that Ronaldo's visit had made Barron, now 19 and a former youth player for D.C. United, "the happiest kid in Florida."
Social media erupted with reactions to the evening's glamour. A selfie posted by Sacks amassed over 2 million views on X (formerly Twitter), with users dubbing it the "ultimate power pic." Ronaldo himself shared a cryptic post-dinner message: "Honored to be here. Bridges built tonight. 🇺🇸🇸🇦⚽," accompanied by a White House backdrop. Yet, not all feedback was celebratory; some activists used the platform to renew calls for accountability on Khashoggi, with hashtags like #JusticeForJamal trending alongside #RonaldoAtWhiteHouse.
As the crown prince's visit extends into Wednesday, expectations run high for further announcements, including joint ventures in AI and defense tech. For Ronaldo, the trip serves as a prelude to his swan song: He recently confirmed the 2026 World Cup will be his final major tournament, where Portugal – already qualified – could face the U.S. in a group-stage clash. Whether this White House moment foreshadows more cross-Atlantic engagements remains to be seen, but it undeniably cemented Ronaldo's status as a global icon transcending the pitch.
The dinner, which concluded around midnight, was catered with a fusion menu blending American classics like Wagyu steak with Saudi-inspired dishes such as lamb mansaf, attended by roughly 150 guests in a space adorned with American and Saudi flags. As Trump and the crown prince raised glasses to "peace and prosperity," the evening encapsulated a broader narrative of realpolitik: alliances forged in opulence, with soccer's greatest serving as the evening's unexpected MVP.
