This trip, intended to meet the American president, was part of a Saudi delegation led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Trump hosted a dinner at the White House, which was attended by Ronaldo and his fiancée, Georgina Rodriguez.
Ronaldo’s first public trip to the United States since the 2017 accusations
The visit to the White House marked Ronaldo’s first public trip to America since accusations of sexual assault were made against him in 2017 by a teacher, accusations that the Portuguese striker denies. Kathryn Mayorga claims the attacker raped her in a hotel room in 2009, during an interview with German magazine Der Spiegel. An amicable agreement was reportedly reached in 2010.
Since these accusations, Ronaldo has not participated in any friendly matches in the United States, neither with his former clubs, Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United, nor with his current team, Al-Nassr. Portugal, meanwhile, is due to face the United States in a friendly across the Atlantic in March, a meeting in which Ronaldo is expected to take part.
However, despite Ronaldo’s reputation, Trump’s Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins, revealed that she was very impressed by the Portuguese captain, even though she had no idea of his identity.
A Trump ally wondered who “Mr. Ronaldo” could be.
In an Instagram post, Rollins revealed that she was seated next to Ronaldo and his fiancée Georgina Rodriguez, but had no idea who was “ Mr. Ronaldo.” “I still can’t believe it… Mark and I were so honored to be there and to welcome so many wonderful friends from all over the world,” she wrote. “As I sat down, I noticed that the sign next to me said ‘Mister Ronaldo’. I wondered who it could be. »
A few minutes later, a tall man with a radiant smile, beaming with joy, sat down. Much to my children’s shame, I didn’t recognize him right away (“MOM, HE HAS MORE FOLLOWERS ON INSTAGRAM THAN ANYONE IN THE WORLD!”). But within seconds we were already great friends and we definitely won the prize for the funniest table!
Cristiano and Georgina, THANK YOU for all the laughs, for the love and patriotism shared for our countries, and for making this beautiful evening even more perfect.
Their kindness, humility and joy of life lit up the room. Nothing better than making new friends. What luck! (But I maintain that American football remains the best!!)
I am so grateful to be part of this game-changing team at this historic moment. God bless America! »
