Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo attended a White House black-tie dinner with the US President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reflecting his role in Saudi football and the kingdom’s modernization drive.
The event also included Elon Musk and Tim Cook. Ronaldo, Al Nassr captain, became football’s first billionaire with a $400m deal.
Critics cite Saudi sports investments as “sportswashing.” He may play a US friendly in 2026, marking his first match in America since 2014, while continuing to promote Saudi projects and the 2034 World Cup bid.
