Cristiano Ronaldo to Meet Donald Trump at the White House

Cristiano Ronaldo is scheduled to meet with former President Donald Trump at the White House this week. The meeting will coincide with a visit from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, marking a significant diplomatic occasion as it is the first time the Crown Prince has visited the United States in seven years. Ronaldo’s meeting with Trump is expected to draw attention due to his status as one of the world’s most recognized athletes and his role as a prominent figure in the Saudi Pro League.

Ronaldo, who plays for Al-Nassr, has significantly raised the profile of Saudi Arabia’s football league since joining the club nearly three years ago. The club is owned by the country’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF). The timing of these meetings comes shortly after Portugal secured their qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in North America. Portugal clinched their spot with a decisive 9-1 victory over Armenia; however, Ronaldo was absent from the match due to a suspension.

The upcoming gathering in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, is poised to become a high-profile event. Trump is anticipated to use the opportunity to promote the 2026 World Cup, leveraging Ronaldo’s international fame for visibility. This will be the sixth World Cup in which Ronaldo, now 40 years old, will participate. His last appearance in the United States was over 11 years ago, during a match on August 2, 2014, when he played for Real Madrid against Manchester United at Michigan Stadium, attracting a crowd of 109,318.

The meeting with Trump is notable not only for Ronaldo’s star power but also for the diplomatic implications of Bin Salman’s visit. Since his last trip to the U.S., the Crown Prince has faced global scrutiny following the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, an act that a U.S. intelligence report attributed to his approval. This allegation has been categorically denied by both Bin Salman and Saudi Arabia.

In a recent interview with journalist Piers Morgan, Ronaldo referred to Bin Salman as “our boss” and expressed his eagerness to meet Trump, describing him as someone who “can help to change the world.” This sentiment reflects Ronaldo’s understanding of the political landscape and the influence that these meetings may carry beyond the realm of sports.

As the world watches, the convergence of sports and politics at the White House underscores the growing prominence of athletes in global affairs. With Ronaldo and Trump together, the event is expected to generate considerable media attention, spotlighting both the sports world and diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.