Football icon Cristiano Ronaldo finally secured his long-desired meeting with Donald Trump this week, but the encounter has created a deep rift within his massive global fanbase. The Portuguese superstar visited the Oval Office as part of an official Saudi delegation hosted by the controversial former US President.
High-Profile Meeting Creates Fan Division
The 40-year-old Al-Nassr player was photographed alongside Trump during his Washington DC visit, marking his first public appearance in the United States since 2017. This timing is particularly significant given the rape allegation made against him that year by former American teacher Kathryn Mayorga, which Ronaldo has consistently and vehemently denied.
During the high-profile meeting, Ronaldo obtained the coveted photographs with Trump that he apparently sought. His fiancée Georgina Rodriguez accompanied him, prominently displaying her stunning $3 million engagement ring on the President's desk for all to see.
Mixed Reactions from Devoted Followers
The images of Ronaldo cosying up to such a divisive political figure immediately sparked intense debate among his followers. One long-time fan expressed their disappointment on Instagram, writing: 'Been following and praising the GOAT since 2006. I have never seen him take an L, let alone an L of this magnitude in my life. Incredibly sad day.'
Another critic used the opportunity to reignite football's eternal debate, commenting: 'If you needed more proof that Messi is better, now you don't have to question it ever again.' Additional responses included concerns like 'Cristiano, this card was not good' and 'Bro what are you doing there.'
However, not all reactions were negative. Many supporters celebrated seeing their hero alongside one of the world's most powerful figures. 'My president and my favourite player,' one enthusiast declared beneath a photograph featuring Trump, Ronaldo, and Rodriguez.
Another supportive comment read: 'One of the very few soccer stars who clearly has courage and a clear mind! And who doesn't parrot the manipulative, lying media. Thank you very much for standing up for peace and supporting this great president.'
Broader Political Context
Ronaldo travelled to the United States as part of a Saudi delegation fronted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Trump's meeting with the Saudi leader on Tuesday marked the Crown Prince's first US visit since US intelligence claimed he approved the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
In a remarkable defence during Oval Office questioning earlier on Tuesday, Trump scolded a reporter who raised the Khashoggi murder and directly contradicted US intelligence findings from his own presidency, asserting that Bin Salman 'knew nothing about it'.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo's US appearance carries its own historical weight. The football legend has not been photographed publicly in America since being accused of rape in 2017. Mayorga had previously reached an out-of-court settlement with Ronaldo in 2010 regarding an alleged 2009 incident in Las Vegas, but sought to reopen the case seven years later. The lawsuit was ultimately dismissed by a US judge in 2022 because the accuser's lawyer relied on leaked and stolen records.
