In a striking convergence of global celebrity, geopolitical power, and vast wealth, superstar footballer Cristiano Ronaldo attended an exclusive White House black-tie dinner on Tuesday, seated alongside Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and hosted by President Donald Trump. The high-profile gathering served as a potent symbol of the deepening, intertwined interests between these influential figures.
A Mutual Admiration Society
President Trump opened the evening by declaring it an “honour” to host Ronaldo, leveraging the athlete’s star power by arranging a meeting with his son, Baron, whom he called a “big fan.” Trump used his speech to formally praise Saudi Arabia as a “major non-Nato ally,” reinforcing the strategic partnership.
For Ronaldo, the dinner was a pinnacle of his transformation from athlete to a central figure in Saudi Arabia’s ambitious “Vision 2030” modernization plan. Having signed a groundbreaking contract with Saudi club Al Nassr—reportedly worth a total of $400 million—Ronaldo has become the multi-million-dollar face of the kingdom’s push to diversify beyond oil and into sports and tourism. He has publicly referred to Prince Mohammed as “our boss” and has actively promoted Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
A Cast of Billionaires and Mended Fences
The guest list was a testament to the theme of concentrated influence. Tech billionaire Elon Musk was also in attendance, marking his first known visit to the White House since a very public feud with Trump. His presence signaled a significant mending of fences between the president and the tycoon. Apple CEO Tim Cook joined other top business leaders, rounding out a room representing trillions in market capital and global influence.
A Complicated Backdrop
The glamorous event was not without its controversies. Ronaldo’s attendance marked one of his first high-profile appearances in the U.S. since 2016, following a past allegation of sexual assault which he denied and for which U.S. prosecutors declined to press charges in 2019.
Furthermore, Trump’s embrace of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman comes despite the prince’s alleged involvement in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a matter over which the president has previously been dismissive, saying “things happen.”
Ambitions Beyond the Pitch
Analysts see Ronaldo’s role as a key part of Saudi Arabia’s “sportswashing” strategy. Sanam Vakil of Chatham House noted that the kingdom has “invested heavily in high profile events and individuals to put the kingdom on the map.” She added that the meeting with Trump was a natural fit, as “the US president likes shiny things and Ronaldo is a shiny thing.”
But Ronaldo’s ambitions for the relationship appear loftier. In July, he sent a signed jersey to Trump inscribed with the words, “To president Donald J. Trump, Playing for Peace.” He has expressed a desire to sit down with the president, stating, “I think he can make things happen and I respect people like that.”
The dinner, therefore, was more than a social event; it was a clear demonstration of how modern power is wielded across the spheres of politics, finance, and sports, with each player leveraging the other’s influence to advance their own monumental goals.
By James Kisoo
