When football meets power: Ronaldo under White House spotlight as Trump praises him

Cristiano Ronaldo shared a rare spotlight in Washington on Tuesday, attending a black-tie White House dinner alongside U.S. President Donald Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and a room filled with billionaires and global power players.

Trump opened the evening by singling Ronaldo out, joking that his son Barron "respects his father a little bit more now" after meeting the Portuguese star. Ronaldo’s presence, however, raised more questions than answers. The purpose of his Washington trip wasn't officially disclosed.

For Saudi Arabia, Cristiano has become far more than a footballer. As the headline face of the Saudi Pro League and a record-paid ambassador for the Kingdom and its Public Investment Fund, his role now stretches into diplomacy. In a recent interview with Piers Morgan, he referred to MBS simply as "our boss."

His appearance in the U.S. was also notable for a different reason: it was his first known trip to America since 2017, when allegations from a Las Vegas woman resurfaced through Der Spiegel. Ronaldo has always denied the accusation, but he has avoided the country ever since - until now.

Portugal fighting for their WC spot and Ronaldo's suspension

The timing is significant. Portugal will face the U.S. in Atlanta in March 2026, and Ronaldo is set to lead his nation at the 2026 World Cup in North America. Yet his participation may be partially delayed. The red card he received for elbowing an opponent against Ireland triggered an automatic one-game suspension, and FIFA's disciplinary rules allow for extended bans for violent conduct. If the committee rules against him, his first matches of the World Cup could be at risk.

At 40, Ronaldo's influence increasingly extends off the pitch. He has openly expressed a desire to meet Trump "to talk about world peace," and on Tuesday, he found himself seated near the heart of a political and economic power circle. Infantino, Trump's long-time World Cup ally, was present as well; so were Elon Musk, Tim Cook and other industry giants.

How much time Ronaldo and Trump spent together is unclear. But the symbolism was unmistakable: one of the world's most famous athletes stepping into a room where sport, politics, money and global ambition merge - and where his presence now carries meaning far beyond football.