📸 Donald Trump hails Cristiano Ronaldo, calls it an honour | OneFootball

The Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo was the big surprise at the gala dinner hosted by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, in honor of the King of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of his recent state visit to Washington D.C. The presence of the football star underscores the close relationship he has forged with the Saudi Kingdom since his signing.

Ronaldo was accompanied by his partner, the businesswoman and influencer Georgina Rodríguez, standing out as the highest-profile couple within the Saudi delegation. Their joint presence not only added glamour to the event but also emphasized Saudi Arabia's intention to project a modern image through figures of international prestige.

The guest list for the evening was a melting pot of global leaders. The event brought together important personalities from the technological and sports fields, including tech entrepreneur Elon Musk and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, reinforcing the idea of an elite gathering with cross-cutting interests.

During the course of the dinner, President Trump made special mention of the forward's attendance, highlighting Ronaldo's impact beyond the playing fields. In a relaxed yet respectful tone, the president shared a personal anecdote: “Now that he's here, I think my son respects his father a little more after I introduced you to him. Thank you for being here, it's an honor.”

Cristiano Ronaldo's participation in this high-profile political event seals his transition from sports icon to a figure of geopolitical influence, demonstrating how athletes of his caliber are being actively integrated into global cultural and economic diplomacy strategies.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.