Superstar footballer Cristiano Ronaldo is set to visit the White House on Tuesday, coinciding with the official visit of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to a US official. While the White House did not confirm whether Ronaldo is part of the Crown Prince’s formal delegation, his presence reflects his growing symbolic role in Saudi Arabia’s global modernisation campaign.
Ronaldo’s role in Saudi Arabia’s soft power push
Ronaldo, currently the captain of Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, has become one of the most recognisable faces of Saudi Arabia’s sweeping transformation agenda. The country is seeking to diversify its economy away from oil by investing heavily in sports, tourism and international events. His association with the league, owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) chaired by the Crown Prince, has elevated the Kingdom’s global visibility.
In early 2023, Ronaldo moved to Saudi Arabia in a landmark deal reportedly worth $200 million a year. In June this year, he agreed to a two-year extension valued at $400 million, making him football’s first billionaire player with an estimated net worth of $1.4 billion, according to Bloomberg. For a 40-year-old footballer nearing the end of his professional career, the financial package underscores the scale of Saudi Arabia’s ambitions.
Analysts say the Kingdom’s strategy includes recruiting internationally renowned personalities to reshape its image. Sanam Vakil of Chatham House noted that Saudi Arabia has “invested heavily in high-profile events and individuals to put the kingdom on the map.” Ronaldo’s active participation in national initiatives reflects this effort.
A rare US visit amid past legal controversy
This will be Ronaldo’s first known visit to the United States since 2016. During this period, he faced a major legal challenge related to allegations of sexual assault by Kathryn Mayorga, who claimed he raped her in a Las Vegas hotel in 2009. Ronaldo strongly denied the accusations, calling rape “an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in.”
In 2019, US prosecutors announced that he would not face charges because the claims could not be proven. The case, however, affected his travel patterns, with reports suggesting he had avoided visits to the US since the controversy.
Support for Saudi vision and global ambitions
Ronaldo has been an enthusiastic supporter of Saudi Arabia’s national development goals. Earlier this month, he appeared at a Ministry of Tourism event in Riyadh, promoting the Kingdom’s major projects and expressing hope for Saudi Arabia to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
He has also publicly expressed admiration for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, referring to him as “our boss” in an interview with Piers Morgan. Given his immense popularity and influence, Ronaldo has become a global ambassador for the Saudi Pro League and wider Vision 2030 initiatives.
Expected meeting with President Trump
The footballer is also expected to attend a lavish black-tie gala dinner in the East Room of the White House, where President Donald Trump will host the Saudi Crown Prince. While the White House has remained tight-lipped about the full guest list, the event will reportedly include CEO-level leaders from major US companies with business interests linked to Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo has expressed a personal desire to meet President Trump for what he claims are loftier reasons: promoting peace. Earlier this year, European Council president Antonio Costa gifted Trump a Portugal football jersey signed by Ronaldo with the message: “To President Donald J. Trump, Playing for Peace.”
In an interview with Morgan, Ronaldo said, “I hope to sit down with him someday because he’s one of those people I really like. I think he can make things happen and I respect people like that.”
Conclusion
As the Saudi Crown Prince’s visit draws global attention, Ronaldo’s simultaneous arrival adds a splash of celebrity power to the diplomatic stage. While not officially confirmed as part of the Saudi delegation, his presence underscores his central role in the Kingdom’s soft power strategy. The White House visit marks a significant moment in his post-Europe career, symbolising both his global stature and Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in international politics and sport.