Cristiano Ronaldo and the president of FIFA (International Football Federation), Gianni Infantino, participated on Tuesday (18) in a luxurious dinner organized at the White House by President Donald Trump in honor of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is on an official visit to the United States.
The Portuguese currently plays for the Saudi club Al Nassr, attracted, like many athletes in the final stretch of their careers, by the astronomical spending on sports in the kingdom, criticized for its record in terms of human rights.
The 40-year-old took pride of place at the dinner, not far from Trump.
“My son is a big Ronaldo fan,” Trump declared in his pre-dinner speech, adding that Barron Trump, 19, met the soccer star, who will compete in his final World Cup next year.
FIFA’s Infantino made a new appearance at the White House ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Billionaire Elon Musk was also present, sitting at a different table to that occupied by Trump, but in a sign of rapprochement between the president and the richest man in the world.
Musk headed the government efficiency department created by Trump, but tensions between the two exploded in June following the businessman’s criticism of a budget bill.
During dinner, the Republican tycoon praised the Saudi prince, who he called a “man of leadership”, after defending his guest in the case of the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, in 2018.
