As is well known, there is no shortage of characters with strong self-confidence in politics and football. On Tuesday, two people who are said to have the biggest egos in their respective industries met: US President Donald Trump and world footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.
The latter was a guest at the White House on the occasion of the meeting between Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Ronaldo has been a figurehead for modern Saudi Arabia since moving to the Saudi first division club Al-Nassr in 2022 and regularly promotes the Gulf monarchy as a travel destination.
Various media had previously reported on Ronaldo’s visit to Washington, which later circulated Images and videos on social networkswhich show him and his fiancée Georgina Rodríguez at a celebratory dinner. In addition to Trump, bin Salman and US Vice President JD Vance, FIFA boss Gianni Infantino and Tesla boss Elon Musk also took part.
Cristiano Ronaldo is trying to win Trump’s favor
Ronaldo had already tried to gain the favor of the US President in recent months. In July, Trump was at the G7 summit in Canada presented with a Portuguese national team jersey signed by Ronaldo. On it were the words: “For President Donald J. Trump, Playing for Peace.”
In the Interview with British TV presenter Piers Morgan Ronaldo said he wanted to meet Trump and described him as one of the “most important people in the world” (although… Ronaldo considers himself the most famous person). The US President can help change the world. Ronaldo linked this to his hope for more peace. The conversation was published at the beginning of November. Just two weeks later, Ronaldo got his meeting with Trump.
In a speech at dinner at the White House, he reported US Presidentthat his 19-year-old son Barron is a “big fan” of the exceptional Portuguese player. “Barron got to meet him. And I think he respects his father a little more now, just because I introduced you to him,” said Trump towards Ronaldo.
Advertising for Saudi Arabia despite the critical human rights situation
It is not known how long the record footballer and the US President spoke to each other. However, there may not have been enough time to develop a common strategy for world peace. Trump was more busy defending the Saudi crown prince in front of journalists in the Oval Office.
An ABC reporter asked about the brutal murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, which the CIA had been covering for years Mohammed bin Salman takes responsibility. Trump defended himself with the words “things happen” – things happen. Khashoggi was extremely controversial and the prince knew nothing.
Cristiano Ronaldo does not distance himself from such statements, let alone from the human rights violations in Saudi Arabia. Instead, he is the advertising face of a country where homosexuality is punished.
The 2034 World Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia. The award there was controversial, among other things, due to the human rights situation. Ronaldo has nevertheless promoted the tournament in the past, saying last December: “After what I have seen, I am even more convinced that 2034 will be the best World Cup ever.”
Imminent ban at the start of the World Cup
Ronaldo will probably no longer take part in the tournament in Saudi Arabia, but next year the Portuguese record player and goalscorer wants to appear again at the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. It would be his sixth World Cup – no player has ever achieved that before him.
It has been discussed for a long time whether the 40-year-old is still good for the team. His freak out in the Portuguese World Cup qualifier in Ireland recently fueled the debate. Ronaldo received a red card for an elbow strike in the 61st minute (here in the video). The game went to the Irish 2-0. Without Ronaldo, the teammates booked their ticket to the 2026 World Cup in the following game against Armenia with a 9-1 win.
After his elbow check, Ronaldo is in danger of missing the start of the tournament due to a suspension. A compulsory break of at least three games is usual for such attacks. The Portuguese association is apparently fighting to reduce the penalty.
Ronaldo is still untouchable in the national team, although his absence has recently given the team a boost. A start without the superstar could also be a blessing for Portugal. At the World Cup in the USA, the 40-year-old has to put his ego aside again – otherwise he runs the risk of harming the team and destroying his monument.
