My son a big fan of Ronaldo,’ says Trump

US President Donald Trump has revealed that his 19-year-old son, Barron, is a huge fan of Portuguese soccer superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo and billionaire Elon Musk were among the guests at a lavish White House dinner hosted by Trump for visiting Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, on Tuesday.

Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi club Al Nassr, took his seat near the head of the table shortly before Trump and the crown prince arrived. The 40-year-old’s contract with the Saudi club is set to expire this summer.

“You know, my son is a big fan of Ronaldo,” Trump said during his pre-dinner speech, adding that his 19-year-old son Barron had the chance to meet the legendary player.

“I think he respects his father a little bit more now, just the fact that I introduced you,” the president said.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino was also present, marking another White House appearance ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which the United States will co-host.

Ronaldo noted that the upcoming World Cup, for which Portugal qualified last Sunday, would “definitely” be his last.

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, attended the black-tie dinner as well, signalling a thaw in relations with Trump after a previously public rift.

Musk had spent five months as head of the Department of Government Efficiency and accompanied Trump on a trip to Saudi Arabia in May.

Their relationship later soured when Musk criticised Trump’s spending bill and made comments about the president in connection with the late Jeffrey Epstein.

Trump had responded by threatening Musk with deportation.

At the dinner, Musk, dressed in a tuxedo, was seen conversing with other guests at a separate table from Trump.

Trump also used the occasion to praise the Saudi crown prince as a “man of leadership,” defending him against past criticism regarding the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.