In a development that stunned both the soccer world and political observers, Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly set to visit the White House on Tuesday for an unexpected meeting with President Donald Trump.
If confirmed, it would mark the global superstar’s first known trip to the United States since 2016.
News of the impending visit surfaced shortly after Ronaldo told Piers Morgan during a recent podcast appearance that he hoped to sit down with Trump.
The 40-year-old Al-Nassr and Portugal forward, whose net worth is estimated at roughly $1.4 billion according to Bloomberg, framed his interest around a broader goal of promoting global peace.
“If the world is in peace, it's our goal,” Ronaldo said, adding that he viewed Trump as “one of the guys that can change or help to change the world.”
Morgan, a longtime friend of Trump, encouraged the idea during the conversation, prompting Ronaldo to reiterate his wish. “I really like him,” he said. “I think he can make things happen, and I like people like that.”
At one point, Ronaldo hinted that he and Trump “share something in common,” though he declined to explain further.
A Growing Public Rapport Between Ronaldo and Trump
The soccer star’s praise did not appear out of nowhere. In June, Ronaldo sent Trump a signed Portugal jersey bearing the message: “To President Donald J. Trump. Playing for Peace.”
According to reporting attributed to three White House officials, the potential meeting would coincide with a scheduled visit from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. If Ronaldo does arrive, it would be his first known time on U.S. soil since celebrating Portugal’s Euro 2016 championship in Las Vegas, per The Mirror US.
Allegations and Legal History Loom Over U.S. Return
Ronaldo has not played a match in the U.S. since 2014, a gap influenced in part by resurfaced allegations made public in 2017. Model Kathryn Mayorga accused Ronaldo of sexually assaulting her in a Las Vegas hotel room in 2009 – claims he has consistently and forcefully denied, according to the New York Times.
Mayorga received a $375,000 settlement intended to keep the allegations private. Ronaldo’s lawyers maintain that the settlement was not an admission of wrongdoing but merely an effort to end what they called “outrageous accusations.”
When the allegations became public, Ronaldo wrote on X: “I firmly deny the accusations… Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in.” His legal team later accused Der Spiegel of using “fabricated” documents, a claim the outlet rejected, stating it had “hundreds of documents” supporting its reporting. Ronaldo has never been charged in connection with the allegations.
Credit: Carlos Rodrigues / Getty Images.
A Return to U.S. Soccer Appears Imminent
Despite years of avoiding the U.S. for competitions, Ronaldo may soon be back on American fields. The U.S. and Portuguese soccer federations are expected to announce a friendly in Atlanta scheduled for March 2026 as both sides prepare for the North American-hosted FIFA World Cup.
As White House officials await final confirmation of Tuesday’s meeting, the soccer icon’s unexpected diplomatic moment (and long-awaited reappearance in the U.S.) appears closer than ever.