US President Donald Trump used a White House state dinner to reveal that his son Barron had finally met his football hero, Cristiano Ronaldo, and that Barron is a big fan of the Portuguese superstar.The moment took place during a black-tie event held to honour Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with Ronaldo seated among some of the most influential names in global business and sport.Ronaldo, popularly known as CR7, plays for Saudi side Al Nassr. He attended the dinner in Washington along with his fiancée Georgina Rodriguez. The 40-year-old was seen dressed in a black tuxedo and later posed for selfies with Elon Musk, Fifa president Gianni Infantino and several other high-profile attendees. It was his first public appearance in the United States since facing a rape allegation in 2017, which he has always denied.Trump mentioned Ronaldo’s presence early in his remarks. “My son is a big fan of Ronaldo. Barron got to meet him and I think he respects his father a little bit more now, just the fact that I introduced you,” he said, thanking the football star for attending. Reports have previously suggested Barron once trained in the youth system of MLS club DC United and follows the sport closely, according to the Daily Mail.Ronaldo’s appearance in Washington also revived interest in his long-running legal dispute. Kathryn Mayorga accused him of raping her in a Las Vegas hotel room in 2009, a claim he has consistently rejected. US prosecutors declined to pursue charges in 2019, and a civil case was dismissed in 2022 after a judge ruled that the accuser’s lawyer had relied on stolen documents.The visit comes as Ronaldo continues to position himself as a global ambassador for Saudi Arabia’s sporting ambitions. He has referred to bin Salman as “our boss” and recently praised the kingdom’s future plans, including a bid for the 2034 World Cup.
