Cristiano Ronaldo, one of soccer’s biggest stars, was recently honoured with a symbolic golden key to the White House by US President Donald Trump. The Portugal captain and Al-Nassr forward received the gesture following his attendance at a high-profile state dinner held in Washington in honour of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Ronaldo was among the distinguished guests at the black-tie event, seated near the front of the East Room as Trump and the crown prince addressed dignitaries from both nations.
His presence was linked to his influential role in Saudi football since joining Al-Nassr in 2023, a club owned by the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), chaired by Crown Prince Salman. Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in sports, including football and LIV Golf, to boost tourism and international engagement, and will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
After the dinner, Trump invited Ronaldo to the Oval Office the following morning and presented him with a golden key of the White House, a symbolic gesture of respect.
Ronaldo expressed his gratitude on Instagram, writing, “Thank you Mr President for your invitation and for the warm welcome you and the First Lady gave me and my future wife, @georginagio. Each of us has something meaningful to give, and I stand ready to do my part as we inspire new generations to build a future defined by courage, responsibility and lasting peace.”
During the dinner, Trump acknowledged Ronaldo’s global stature and revealed that his youngest son, Barron, is a “big fan” of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“Barron got to meet him. And I think he respects his father a little bit more, now, just the fact that I introduced you,” Trump said. “So I just want to thank you both for being here. Thank you very much. Really an honour.”
Ronaldo also shared photographs on Instagram from the event, including a widely circulated selfie with some of the world’s most influential figures, such as Elon Musk, highlighting the combined net worth of those present, reportedly in the trillions of dollars.
The footballer, who joined Al-Nassr in 2023, has become a prominent face of Saudi Arabia’s evolving sports landscape. Earlier this month, he announced that the 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will be the final tournament of his illustrious career.
His most recent visit to the US before this event was in August 2014, when he played as a substitute for Real Madrid in a friendly against Manchester United in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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