Former US President Donald Trump has publicly lauded football icon Cristiano Ronaldo, disclosing that the Portuguese star personally called him to express gratitude for a private tour of the White House and Oval Office.
A Star-Studded Visit to Washington
The meeting occurred last month when Ronaldo, aged 40, was in Washington DC for an exclusive dinner. The high-profile event's guest list featured several notable figures, including tech billionaire Elon Musk and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Mohammed Bin Salman.
Ronaldo, who currently plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, was subsequently given a personal tour of the iconic Oval Office by Trump himself. The former president welcomed the athlete and his fiancée, Georgina Rodriguez, with open arms during the visit.
The Presidential Praise and a Rare Honour
Taking to his Truth Social platform on Saturday, Trump shared effusive praise for the footballer. He wrote: 'Cristiano Ronaldo, the GREAT soccer (football!) player, just called to thank me for his tour this week of the White House and Oval Office.' Trump added, 'What an incredible guy he is, not only as an athlete, but as a person. You don't get any better!!!'
In a significant gesture, Trump marked the occasion by presenting Ronaldo with a rare golden key to the White House. This honour is a personal tradition of Trump's rather than a conventional presidential practice, and he designed the key himself. Previous recipients of the distinctive key include Elon Musk, former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Context and Notable Imagery
This visit marked Ronaldo's first public appearance in the United States since 2017, when an American teacher accused him of rape—a allegation he has consistently and strongly denied.
Further images from the trip circulated, including one showing Ronaldo holding a model of a B-2 stealth bomber. Trump reportedly used this specific type of aircraft in a raid on Iran's nuclear facilities in June. Another photo from the Washington dinner featured Ronaldo and Rodriguez alongside guests including Elon Musk, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and several other prominent individuals.
The event underscores the continuing intersection of global sport, politics, and high-profile diplomacy, with Trump maintaining his relationships with influential figures worldwide after his presidency.
