Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to meet President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, coinciding with the high-profile visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to two White House officials cited by CNN.
Ronaldo, who plays for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, has scored a record 143 international goals for Portugal and is the first male player to score in five FIFA World Cups. Earlier this year, he reportedly became football’s first billionaire player, following his lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia.
The Portuguese striker’s visit aligns with Trump’s elaborate welcome for Prince Mohammed, which will feature a ceremony and formal dinner, though it is not classified as an official state visit as the crown prince is not the country’s head of state. The programme includes a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office and a lunch event.
This marks the crown prince’s first return to the White House in more than seven years, and his first since the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. A CIA assessment suggested he likely ordered the assassination, though he has consistently denied any involvement.
Ronaldo’s appearance in the US is rare — he last played on American soil in 2014, during a preseason tour match with Real Madrid in Michigan. The football icon previously faced legal scrutiny in the US over allegations of rape dating back to 2009. He strongly denied the accusations, and while no charges were filed, a civil lawsuit was dismissed in 2022 due to “misconduct” by the plaintiff’s attorney.
Ronaldo recently confirmed to CNN that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will “definitely” be his last.
“I will be 41 years old, and I think (this) will be the moment in the big competition,” he said during an interview at the Tourise Summit in Riyadh.
He also hinted that retirement is near, adding, “When I mean soon, it’s probably one or two years I’ll still be in the game.”
The 48-team World Cup, the largest ever, will kick off on June 11, 2026, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The World Cup draw is scheduled for December 5 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.
Trump has frequently highlighted his role in bringing the tournament to the US, most recently during a meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the Oval Office on Monday.
The meeting of two global icons — Ronaldo and Prince Mohammed — at the White House underscores the intertwining of sports, diplomacy, and global influence.
