• Cristiano Ronaldo and Elon Musk were key guests at a White House dinner for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
• Trump praised Ronaldo, mentioning his son Barron's admiration for the football star during his remarks.
• Ronaldo plays for Saudi club Al Nassr and is positioning himself as a global ambassador for Saudi Arabia.
• The dinner also marks Ronaldo's first public appearance in the U.S. since a past legal issue.
• FIFA President Gianni Infantino was also in attendance, alongside other influential business leaders.

Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and billionaire Elon Musk graced a lavish White House dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump for the visiting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Ronaldo, who plays for the Saudi club Al Nassr, was seated near the front of the East Room, sharing the company of other notable figures including FIFA President Gianni Infantino and tech leaders like Tim Cook, highlighting the intertwining of sports and politics at the event, according to SCMP.

During his remarks at the dinner, Trump expressed gratitude towards Ronaldo and acknowledged his son Barron’s admiration for the footballer, stating, “I think he respects his father a little bit more now, just the fact that I introduced you.” This moment underscores the personal connections being made at high-profile political gatherings, as Barron, who is 19, had the opportunity to meet his idol, according to India Times and Al Jazeera.

Ronaldo’s presence also signifies his role as an ambassador for the Saudi league, further enhanced by his relationship with MBS, being quoted as referring to him as “our boss.” This relationship strengthens the visibility of the Saudi Pro League, as Ronaldo aims to make his mark ahead of what he suggests will be his final World Cup appearance in 2026, according to Al Jazeera and SCMP.

Furthermore, this event marks Ronaldo’s first public appearance in the United States since a notable past incident in 2017, enhancing media interest surrounding his career and high-profile endorsement roles. The dinner advances the narrative of sport serving as an influential platform in diplomatic relations, particularly in the context of Saudi sports initiatives and ambitions to host future global tournaments, according to India Times and Al Jazeera.