Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is once again in the headlines. The reason is a high-profile dinner organized at the White House, in which former US President Donald Trump and Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman were present. The event marked a new warmth in US-Saudi relations, and Ronaldo was one of the most talked-about faces at the event.

Celebrities attended the high-profile dinner

In this event organized in the East Room of the White House, Ronaldo was seated near the front VIP section. Where both Trump and Mohammed bin Salman addressed the guests. The guests also included celebrities from world’s biggest companies like Apple CEO Tim Cook and Tesla founder Elon Musk. During the speech, Trump made special mention of Ronaldo and told that he has introduced his son Barron to Ronaldo. Trump joked that after introducing Ronaldo, his son “respects his father a little more now.”

Ronaldo is the superstar of Saudi League

Ronaldo has become the biggest face of Saudi football after joining Al-Nassr Club in 2022. According to reports, he has received a contract worth around $200 million every year. Even at the age of 40, his stardom did not diminish and he signed a new two-year extension in June this year.

His presence along with the Crown Prince is being considered as the global ‘branding’ of the Saudi football project.

Crown Prince’s White House visit also in discussion

This visit of the Crown Prince was also special because after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, there was a distance in US-Saudi relations. American agencies had admitted that this operation took place on the instructions of Mohammed bin Salman, although he has denied these allegations. This dinner is being considered as a sign of reducing tension between the two countries.

Ronaldo came to America after 2014

This rare visit of Cristiano Ronaldo to America has been in the news a lot. Because he has been seen here for the first time since 2014. In a report in 2017, the issue of old allegations against him came up again, although his lawyers had completely rejected it.

2034 World Cup, Ronaldo’s record and Trump’s presence

Saudi Arabia is hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup and Ronaldo has already claimed that it will be the “best World Cup ever”. Currently, Ronaldo is preparing to play for a record sixth time in next year’s World Cup. However, due to the recent red card, he may have to face suspension for the first match. His opponents will be decided by the draw to be held on December 5, in which the presence of Donald Trump is also considered certain.

US President Donald Trump rejected a report by US intelligence agencies during his meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) at the White House. The report claimed that the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018 was approved by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) himself. But Trump said that MBS had no knowledge of this matter.

Trump got angry on reporter’s question
An ABC News reporter asked Trump that when American agencies themselves hold the Crown Prince responsible for Khashoggi’s murder, why should the American public trust them?
Even before the question could be completed, Trump spoke angrily – ‘You are fake news, you are mentioning someone who has been very controversial. The gentleman (Khashoggi) you are talking about was not liked by many people. Things happen whether you like them or not, but the Crown Prince didn’t know anything about it. And we can leave it here. There is no need to embarrass our guest by asking such a question.

Crown Prince’s statement – ‘It was a painful mistake’
MBS also answered this question and described the murder as ‘painful’. He said that losing someone’s life unnecessarily or illegally is a very sad incident. According to the Crown Prince, Saudi Arabia has made improvements in its system so that such a mistake does not happen again.

Trump also praised human rights
Trump also went ahead and praised MBS’s human rights reforms, although he did not give any concrete examples. He said- ‘I am very proud of his work. He has done amazing work in many areas including human rights.

Biden first stayed away, then the strategy had to be changed
During the 2020 election campaign, Joe Biden called Saudi Arabia a ‘pariah’ country. After becoming president, he maintained a distance from the Crown Prince, but in 2022, when oil prices rose due to the Russia-Ukraine war, Biden had to improve relations. In July the same year, he reached Jeddah and met MBS and demanded to increase oil production.

Grand welcome and announcement of big investment
Trump gave a grand welcome to the Crown Prince at the White House. Although it was not an official state visit, as the Crown Prince is not formally head of the country, he is governing in place of his ailing father. During this, MBS announced to increase investment in America from $600 billion to $1 trillion. He described America as ‘the most attractive investment country in the world’.

Clear warning from American intelligence report
In the American intelligence report released in 2021, it was clearly written that the Crown Prince had approved the murder of Khashoggi. After this, the Biden administration issued the ‘Khashoggi Policy’, under which visa restrictions are imposed on those who target journalists and activists by foreign governments.