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Soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo was spotted at the White House for dinner on Tuesday night, as his appearance coincided with President Donald Trump’s reception of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
During the gala affair, Ronaldo, who was making his first appearance in the United States in almost a decade, received a commendation from the president.
“My son is a big fan of Ronaldo,” Trump said during a speech to a group that included Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Apple CEO Tim Cook. “And Barron got to meet him, and I think he respects his father a little more now that I introduced you. Thank you for being here, it’s an honor.”
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U.S. President Donald Trump (R) meets with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia during a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office of the White House November 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Ronaldo has also shared how he feels about Trump, who recently said “he’s one of the guys who can help change the world” during an interview with Piers Morgan.
Ronaldo has been playing in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. The 40-year-old signed a two-year contract extension to remain at the club, worth more than $400 million.
Cristiano Ronaldo attends a dinner hosted by President Donald Trump for Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, on November 18, 2025. (REUTERS/Tom Brenner)
With Portugal qualified for the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo will compete in his sixth tournament next summer in North America. He and Argentina’s Lionel Messi will make history when they step onto the field as the only players to appear in six men’s World Cups.
FOOTBALL LEGEND CRISTIANO RONALDO SAYS TRUMP ‘CAN CHANGE THE WORLD’
Ronaldo said this will “definitely” be his last appearance for Portugal on the World Cup stage. There were doubts about whether he would play in another tournament after the team’s shock loss to Morocco in the previous World Cup.
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, left, celebrates with teammate Diogo Jota after scoring his team’s second goal during the Euro 2020 Group B qualifying soccer match between Luxembourg and Portugal at the Josy Barthel Stadium in Luxembourg in November 2019. (AP/Francisco Seco)
But Ronaldo has been playing for Al-Nassr ever since, moving from Manchester United to the Saudi Pro League. While it was an unexpected move by one of the greatest soccer players of all time, he gladly accepted his new home, where he serves as an ambassador for the kingdom’s tourism authority.
Trump has also been heavily involved in sport, with his FIFA task force preparing for next year’s tournament, which will be played in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Trump on Monday announced the “FIFA Pass” alongside the organization’s president, Gianni Infantino, a new initiative for ticket holders from around the world entering the United States for the World Cup.
The new system will allow World Cup ticket holders to receive priority visa interviews. Trump also noted that the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security have been working “tirelessly” to “ensure that football fans around the world are properly vetted and can easily come to the United States next summer.”
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal reacts during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying match between the Republic of Ireland and Portugal at the Aviva Stadium on November 13, 2025 in Dublin, Ireland. (Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
“I have directed my administration to do everything in its power to make the 2026 World Cup an unprecedented success. I believe it will be the biggest and we are setting records in ticket sales,” Trump added.
The World Cup will begin on June 11, 2026 and conclude on July 19, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
