Riyadh – Superstar footballer Cristiano Ronaldo attended an official black-tie state dinner at the White House on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, joining Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his visit to Washington, DC.
The 40-year-old Portuguese icon arrived with his fiancée, Georgina Rodríguez, and was seated among a high-profile guest list that included Apple CEO Tim Cook and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Musk’s attendance marked his first return to the White House since stepping down from his Department of Government Efficiency position in April.
During the evening, US President Donald Trump publicly praised Ronaldo before the assembled guests, saying: “My son is a big fan of Ronaldo, and Barron got to meet him. I think he respects his father a little bit more now that I introduced you.” Trump added, “Thank you for being here, it is an honour.”
Ronaldo has previously expressed positive views about Trump, once calling him “one of the guys who can help change the world.”
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Throughout the event, Ronaldo posed for photographs with several attendees, including Rodríguez, Elon Musk, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, entrepreneur David Sacks, and senior members of the Trump administration. The appearance highlighted his continued global influence beyond football and his close ties with Saudi Arabia’s leadership.