JUST IN: Cristiano Ronaldo to visit with Trump at White House amid Saudi Crown Prince meeting

The meeting was first reported by journalist Jake Traylor, who posted, "Trump is expected to host soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo at the White House tomorrow, according to three White House officials. Ronaldo, who plays in the Saudi Pro League, is expected to visit the WH on the same day where Trump will host the Saudi crown prince."

It was not clear leading up to the meeting what role Ronaldo will play as the Saudi leader meets with Trump. Ronaldo is arguably the most well-known soccer player in the world, and there is strong debate in the soccer community whether he or Lionel Messi is the greatest player of all time in the game.

Leading up to the White House visit, Ronaldo sat down with Piers Morgan, and said of Trump, “He is one of the guys who can help to change the world. One of the most important guys is the US President… He is one of the guys I wish to meet to sit and have a nice talk."

Earlier in 2025, Trump received a signed jersey from Ronaldo which was presented to the president by European council president Antonio Costa during a G7 summit in Canada. "To president Donald J. Trump, Playing for Peace," the jersey said.

Ronaldo has not made a public appearance in the United States since August 2014 when he was participating in a preseason friendly for Real Madrid. Some online have contrasted the visit to when the Biden administration awarded Lionel Messi the Medal of Honor, but the player did not show up to the award ceremony.