Washington, Nov 19 (V7N) — Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo attended a high-profile White House dinner held in honor of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday evening (local time). The event brought together notable figures from various sectors, including global business leaders and influential personalities.

Speaking ahead of the dinner, U.S. President Donald Trump described it as a “great honor” to host Ronaldo, acknowledging his global influence and star power.

The crown prince’s visit comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is ramping up investments in sports, tourism, and large-scale development projects as part of its broader plan to reduce reliance on oil revenue. His increasing involvement in the global sports arena has drawn significant international attention.

A White House official confirmed Ronaldo’s presence at the event, though it remains unclear whether the football star was formally included in the crown prince’s official delegation.

Tech magnate Elon Musk, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and several other high-profile business leaders were also in attendance, underscoring the diplomatic and economic significance of the gathering.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman—described by some close associates as “our boss”—has been spearheading ambitious development programs in Saudi Arabia and has expressed strong interest in hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup, further solidifying the kingdom’s push toward global sports leadership.

END/SMA/AJ