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Cristiano Ronaldo gets special mention from U.S. President Donald Trump in White House dinner speech as Al-Nassr superstar attends black tie event alongside fiancée Georgina Rodriguez and Saudi Crown Prince – and takes selfie with Elon Musk

Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo attended an extravagant White House state dinner honoring Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), marking his first known appearance on American soil since 2016.
The event, attended by top business leaders, tech icons, and sports figures, also featured Tesla and X CEO Elon Musk, with Ronaldo and his fiancée Georgina Rodriguez even posing for a selfie with Musk.
U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged Ronaldo’s presence during his remarks, noting that his youngest son, Barron, is a huge fan of the Al-Nassr and Portugal striker. Trump joked that the meeting had earned him extra respect from his son:
“You know, my son is a big fan of Ronaldo. And 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. Really an honour.”
Great night! pic.twitter.com/XfdC9bJqP4
— David Sacks (@DavidSacks) November 19, 2025
Ronaldo attended alongside some of the world’s most influential figures, including FIFA president Gianni Infantino, as part of the black-tie dinner aimed at strengthening U.S.–Saudi relations.
His appearance highlights his role as a global ambassador for Saudi sports and diplomatic investments.
The Portuguese captain recently missed Portugal’s final World Cup qualifier against Armenia due to suspension, following his first-ever international red card against the Republic of Ireland.
Despite this, Trump singled out Ronaldo for special recognition during his speech.
Earlier, Ronaldo had sent Trump a signed jersey with the message: “To President Donald J. Trump, Playing for Peace.” He commented on the gesture:
“He is one of the guys who can help to change the world. One of the most important guys is the U.S. President. If we can help each other to make this happen… I wish one day to meet him, whether it is here, or in the U.S., wherever he wants. I know he was here in Saudi Arabia with our boss, MBS.”
The gathering underscored Ronaldo’s unique position at the intersection of sports, diplomacy, and global influence, making him a prominent figure not just on the pitch but in international affairs.
.@POTUS: “My son is a big fan of @Cristiano… Barron got to meet him and I think he respects his father a little bit more now.” 🤣 https://t.co/uLPY84DHcu pic.twitter.com/nmOQotP9I9
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) November 19, 2025
