US President Donald Trump has praised football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo during a White House dinner hosted by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Trump also mentioned his youngest son, Barron, highlighting the 19-year-old’s admiration for Ronaldo, who is visiting the United States for the first time since American teacher Kathryn Mayorga accused him of sexual misconduct in 2017.
He told guests that Barron is a die-hard football fan and a “big fan” of Ronaldo.
“Barron got to meet him. I think he respects his dad a little more now because I introduced you,” Trump said.
Ronaldo attended the event alongside his fiancée, Georgina Rodriguez.
The Portuguese star, who currently plays for Saudi club Al-Nassr, signed a contract reportedly worth over USD 200 million per year in 2022. He has not played in the United States since 2014.
In 2017, German magazine Der Spiegel reported that Ronaldo had paid USD 375,000 in a confidential settlement to a woman who accused him of raping her in a Las Vegas hotel in 2009. Ronaldo’s lawyers have consistently maintained that the encounter was consensual and noted that no criminal charges were ever filed.
Ronaldo may return to the United States when Portugal competes in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The 2034 World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia.
