White House Hails Ronaldo as ‘GOAT’ After High-Profile Meeting With Trump

The White House has described Cristiano Ronaldo as the “GOAT” after the Portuguese football star attended a state dinner hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday.

The designation appeared in an official White House social media post on Wednesday, where the account shared footage of Ronaldo at the event with the caption: “Two GOATS. CR7 x 45/47.” The post immediately reignited the long-running Ronaldo–Messi debate, especially notable because Messi currently plays in the United States and has been credited with boosting domestic interest in Major League Soccer.

Ronaldo attended the dinner alongside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as part of the delegation invited for discussions aimed at strengthening U.S.–Saudi relations. The event, held in the East Room, drew a high-profile crowd including Apple CEO Tim Cook, Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk, and other global business leaders. The footballer was accompanied by his fiancée, Georgina Rodríguez.

During his remarks, President Trump acknowledged Ronaldo’s presence and highlighted that his son, Barron Trump, is “a big fan.” Footage from the event also showed Ronaldo interacting with guests and posing for photos, including a selfie moment with Musk.

Background: Ronaldo’s U.S. Absence and Diplomatic Significance

Ronaldo has played a central role in Saudi Arabia’s sporting expansion since joining Al-Nassr, frequently endorsing the kingdom’s international sports ambitions, including the 2034 World Cup bid.

His visit to Washington also revived widespread interest in why he had not returned to the U.S. in nearly a decade. The 40-year-old had avoided American soil since 2016, following a civil lawsuit in Las Vegas that was ultimately dismissed in 2023. U.S. prosecutors announced in 2019 that no criminal charges would be filed, explaining that the evidence presented did not meet the burden of proof required.

Ronaldo had consistently denied the allegations, calling rape “an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in.”

Cristiano Ronaldo Confirms 2026 World Cup Will Be His Last

With the unresolved legal matter no longer an obstacle, Ronaldo may be set for a return to the pitch in the United States. Reports indicate that Portugal and the U.S. men’s national team could face each other in a friendly match during the March international window, potentially marking his first game on American soil since 2014.