Football icon Cristiano Ronaldo is slated to visit the White House on Tuesday, as confirmed by a US official. This visit coincides with the arrival of Saudi Arabia’s leader, given that Ronaldo currently plays in the Saudi Pro League.
While the White House has not indicated that Ronaldo is part of the official delegation accompanying Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, his considerable influence in the Saudi football landscape has made him a prominent figure in the crown prince’s agenda for modernization. The overarching goal of this initiative is to lessen the country’s dependence on oil revenue through diversification into various sectors like sports and tourism, aiming to reshape the Kingdom’s economic landscape and international reputation.
Ronaldo’s visit marks his first trip to the United States since 2016, a significant gap during which he has encountered serious allegations, including a claim of sexual assault. Kathryn Mayorga has accused Ronaldo of raping her in a Las Vegas hotel in 2009, an allegation that he has consistently denied. In a firm statement released in 2018, he declared, “I firmly deny the accusations being issued against me. Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in.” Following a thorough investigation, US prosecutors announced in 2019 that there would be no charges against Ronaldo due to a lack of evidence supporting the claims.
In early 2023, Ronaldo transitioned to the Saudi Pro League, becoming an emblematic figure for the competition. He took on the role of captain at Al Nassr, a football club backed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), which is under the direct stewardship of the crown prince. The financial dimensions of his move are astronomical; reports suggest that his contract is valued at approximately $200 million (£152 million) annually, equating to over half a million dollars each day. This staggering salary reflects not only his extraordinary talent but also the burgeoning fortunes within the world of sports.
In June, Ronaldo further solidified his position when he signed a new two-year contract rumored to be worth a total of $400 million (£300 million). According to Bloomberg, this move also crowned him as football’s first-ever billionaire player, with an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion. Such financial achievements serve as a testament to both his skills on the field and the immense financial investments flowing into the Saudi sports sector as part of their broader vision for development.
Experts have noted that Saudi Arabia has made substantial investments in high-profile events and personalities to elevate its image on the global stage, particularly in sports and tourism. Sanam Vakil, who heads the Middle East and North Africa programme at Chatham House, emphasizes that this strategy aligns with Saudi Arabia’s quest for modernization. Ronaldo, acknowledging his strategic alignment with the crown prince, once referred to him as “our boss” in an interview with prominent broadcaster Piers Morgan. His commitment to promoting the kingdom was evident when he attended a Ministry of Tourism event in Riyadh, voicing support for the nation’s development initiatives and expressing enthusiasm about the potential of hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
As for his forthcoming encounter with President Trump, Vakil astutely remarked, “The US president likes shiny things, and Ronaldo is a shiny thing.” However, Ronaldo’s aspirations for this meeting extend beyond mere celebrity recognition; he is eager to discuss significant matters, including global peace. Earlier this year, during a meeting with European Council president Antonio Costa, Ronaldo gifted Trump a Portugal national team jersey signed by himself, inscribed with the message: “To president Donald J. Trump, Playing for Peace.” He expressed a desire to engage in a meaningful conversation, stating, “I hope to sit down with him someday because he’s one of those people I really like. I think he can make things happen, and I respect people like that.”
Looking ahead, this meeting also serves as another opportunity for President Trump to deepen ties with the Saudi leadership. He previously hosted the crown prince in the Oval Office, and their upcoming gathering is scheduled to be an extravagant black-tie gala dinner in the East Room of the White House, an event that Ronaldo is expected to grace. While the White House has yet to disclose the full guest list, reports indicate that numerous CEOs from major US corporations—many of whom have substantial business interests in Saudi Arabia—will also be in attendance. This gathering underscores the intricate relationships among sports, politics, and business, highlighting how figures like Ronaldo play a role in bridging these spheres in an era of increasing global interconnectivity.
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