Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the best footballers on the planet was one of the popular guests attending a formal dinner at the White House on Tuesday. The event, hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump who welcomed Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as part of an official visit highlighted by strategic talks, investment announcements and a series of ceremonial displays.
A Star-Studded Evening at the White House
The day began with a grand welcome for the crown prince, complete with a military flyover and a performance from the U.S. Marine Band. After that the meeting continued with high-level discussions with a black-tie dinner in the East Room, attended by several influential figures from the worlds of technology, business and sports.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang with Space X owner Elon Musk were among the notable attendees. Adding global sports prestige to the evening was Cristiano Ronaldo, who currently plays for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo joined the Riyadh-based club from Manchester United after many tensions with the club’s manager and the controversial interview with Piers Morgan. Everyone knows of his success in sports winning many prestigious titles like Champions league, Premier League, Euro Tournament and many others.
Ronaldo’s Praise for Trump
Ronaldo expressed his prize for President Trump during an interview with journalist Piers Morgan, describing him as someone capable of driving change.
“He’s one of the guys I want to meet. I think he can make things happen and I like people like that,” Ronaldo said.
During the dinner, Trump publicly acknowledged Ronaldo’s presence, expressing appreciation for the footballer’s attendance and mentioning that his youngest son, Barron, is an admirer of the Portuguese star.
Trump joked that the introduction might elevate his standing with Barron:
“I think he respects his father a little bit more now, just the fact that I introduced you.”
Viral Moment Shared by the White House
A short video posted on the White House’s official X and Instagram accounts captured Trump and Ronaldo walking together and sharing a lighthearted moment. The clip was captioned “Two GOATs,” using the popular acronym for “Greatest of All Time,” commonly used in sports. Ronaldo later reshared the post with his followers, helping it spread widely across social media platforms.
Expanded Investment Plans Announced
During the visit, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman used the platform to announce a significant increase in Saudi Arabia’s planned investments in the United States. The kingdom intends to raise its investment portfolio to $1 trillion (€870 billion), up from the previously outlined $600 billion (€519 billion) commitment announced during Trump’s earlier visit to Riyadh.
Prince Mohammed noted that the investments represent both immediate and long-term opportunities, emphasizing the economic potential the U.S. continues to hold for global partners.
Strengthening Strategic Cooperation
President Trump also announced that the United States would designate Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally—a status that, while symbolic, opens pathways for greater cooperation in areas such as defense, security and trade.
The meeting and the high-profile dinner reinforced ongoing efforts by both countries to deepen diplomatic and economic ties. For many observers, the presence of iconic figures like Cristiano Ronaldo underscored the global attention the visit has drawn, blending politics, economics and culture on an international stage.
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