The story behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s White House meeting with President Donald Trump

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to make a first public trip to the United States since 2014, expected to attend a White House meeting with President Donald Trump on Tuesday.

Trump is hosting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and Ronaldo, the undoubted star of the nation’s Saudi Pro League, will reportedly take part in the meeting, according to The Athletic.

Ronaldo is one of the greatest soccer players of all time and has become a key part of Saudi Arabia’s bid to increase global prominence. The Saudi state-funded Al Nassr has made the 40-year-old the highest-paid player in the world and he has many commercial ties with the Saudi state.

It’s not clear what role Ronaldo will play in the Oval Office meeting but it comes soon after the Portuguese star revealed in an interview that he was eager to meet the President. He told Piers Morgan: “He is one of the guys who can help to change the world. One of the most important guys is the US President… He is one of the guys I wish to meet to sit and have a nice talk."

Was Cristiano Ronaldo banned from the US?

There was no formal restriction in place preventing Ronaldo from traveling to the United States. However he has not made a public trip to the US since August 2014, when he took part in a preseason friendly for Real Madrid against Manchester United.

This long absence has been the topic of much scrutiny in the aftermath of a 2017 report by German newspaper Der Spiegel, which revealed details of an alleged sexual assault involving Ronaldo in Las Vegas in 2009. Ronaldo has denied any wrong-doing and no charges were ever brought.

Whatever the reason for CR7’s lack of US travel, things appear to have changed this year and he now has two trips on the horizon. In addition to the Oval Office meeting, Ronaldo will also be involved in a friendly fixture between Portugal and USMNT at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium next March. After more than a decade away, US fans will finally get the chance to see one of the greatest players of all time in the flesh.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.