Arjun Menon
Ronaldo Attends High-Profile Event
Cristiano Ronaldo made a notable appearance at a White House black-tie dinner on Tuesday, seated alongside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The event highlighted Ronaldo’s role as a key figure in Saudi Arabia’s sports and tourism initiatives.
US President Donald Trump expressed his honor in hosting Ronaldo, acknowledging the footballer’s influence in Saudi Arabia’s modernization efforts. The crown prince aims to reduce the country’s reliance on oil by investing in sectors like sports and tourism.
Controversies and Criticisms
Critics argue that Saudi Arabia’s investments in sports are a form of ‘sportswashing,’ intended to divert attention from human rights issues and environmental concerns related to its oil industry.
During the dinner, Trump praised the US-Saudi relationship, labeling Saudi Arabia a ‘major non-NATO ally.’ He also mentioned his son Baron Trump‘s admiration for Ronaldo, noting that the meeting might have increased his son’s respect for him.
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High-Profile Attendees
Other attendees included tech billionaire Elon Musk and Apple CEO Tim Cook. This marked Musk’s first visit to the White House since stepping down from his role in the Trump administration earlier this year.
Ronaldo’s Legal Issues and Career Move
Ronaldo’s attendance at the White House is one of his first known visits to the US since 2016. In the interim, he faced allegations of sexual assault by Kathryn Mayorga, which he vehemently denied. US prosecutors later stated that the claims could not be proven, and no charges were filed.
In early 2023, Ronaldo joined the Saudi Pro League as captain of Al Nassr, a club owned by the sovereign wealth fund PIF, chaired by the crown prince. His move to Saudi Arabia was accompanied by a substantial pay deal, reportedly $200 million per year, making him football’s first billionaire player.
Saudi Arabia’s Sports Investments
According to Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Chatham House, Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in high-profile events and individuals to boost its sports and tourism sectors as part of its modernization drive.
Ronaldo has publicly referred to bin Salman as ‘our boss’ and has promoted Saudi Arabia’s development projects, including expressing support for the country’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.