Cristiano Ronaldo will visit the White House on Tuesday while President Donald Trump hosts Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The meeting could signal a thaw in U.S.-Saudi relations since the 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi and may include talks on a bilateral security arrangement and Saudi purchases of U.S. AI chips. Ronaldo, now with Al-Nassr, has denied a 2009 sexual assault allegation and was never criminally charged.
Cristiano Ronaldo to Visit White House as Trump Hosts Saudi Crown Prince
Cristiano Ronaldo will visit the White House on Tuesday while President Donald Trump hosts Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The meeting could signal a thaw in U.S.-Saudi relations since the 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi and may include talks on a bilateral security arrangement and Saudi purchases of U.S. AI chips. Ronaldo, now with Al-Nassr, has denied a 2009 sexual assault allegation and was never criminally charged.
11:08 PM, 11/18/2025Politics
Cristiano Ronaldo to Visit the White House
Cristiano Ronaldo will visit the White House on Tuesday as President Donald Trump seeks to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia ahead of next summer’s FIFA World Cup in North America.
The Portuguese forward, who starred for clubs including Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United, now plays for Riyadh-based Al-Nassr, the leading side in the Saudi Pro League.
Ronaldo’s trip coincides with President Trump’s meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House — a meeting that could signal a thaw in U.S.-Saudi relations following the 2018 killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. The administration views Saudi Arabia as an important partner in efforts to stabilize the Middle East and is reportedly considering a bilateral security agreement; Saudi officials are also expected to pursue purchases of American AI chips.
The visit has reopened public attention to reports that Ronaldo was accused in 2009 of sexually assaulting a Las Vegas model and teacher. Ronaldo has denied the allegation and has never been criminally charged. According to The Athletic, he last played a match in the United States in 2014.