Brooke Rollins, Donald Trump’s Secretary of Agriculture, has revealed how impressed she was by Cristiano Ronaldo after meeting the soccer great at the White House earlier this week – even though she wasn’t sure at first who he was.
Ronaldo, 40, was in Washington DC as part of a visiting delegation from Saudi Arabia, led by the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It was the first time Ronaldo had been seen publicly in the United States since a 2017 rape accusation from an American teacher, which he has always strongly denied.
The Manchester United and Real Madrid great was welcomed to the White House by President Trump and for a glitzy dinner that the President hosted for his guests, Ronaldo and fiancee Georgina Rodriguez was sat alongside Rollins.
Reflecting on the night Rollins shared with her husband, she revealed on Instagram that she didn’t immediately know who the soccer star was.
‘Still processing this one…Mark and I were so honored to attend and welcome so many wonderful friends from across the globe,’ Rollins wrote.
‘When I sat down at my seat, I noticed the name card right next to me said Mr. Ronaldo. I wondered who in the world could that be.
Ronaldo pictured alongside the Secretary of Agriculture in Washington DC this week
Ronaldo’s visit to meet the President was his first public appearance in the US in years
‘A few minutes later a tall man with a huge smile, literally beaming joy, took the seat. To my kids extreme embarrassment, I didn’t immediately recognize him (“GEEZ MOM HE HAS MORE INSTA FOLLOWERS THAN ANYONE IN THE WORLD!!”). But within seconds we were FAST friends and for sure won the prize for the most fun table!’
Rollins continued: ‘Cristiano and Georgina, THANK YOU for the laughs, shared love and patriotism for our home countries, and for making a beautiful night even more perfect.
‘Their kindness, humility, and light filled the room. Nothing better than making new friends. What a blessing! (But I stand by my assertion that American “football” is still the best!!)
‘So grateful to be part of this game changing team at this moment in history. God bless America!!!’
Ronaldo’s ongoing absence from the United States had coincided with the rape allegations. Since the claims were made by American teacher Kathryn Mayorga, Ronaldo had not been involved in any exhibition games held in the US involving the teams he has played for – Real Madrid, Juventues, Manchester United and his current one, the Saudi club Al Nassr.
The matter was thrown back into the spotlight last Sunday when Portugal clinched qualification for next summer’s World Cup, where the majority of the tournament is held in the United States. Ronaldo and his Portugal team are also scheduled to play the United States in Atlanta next March in a friendly.
Revealing details of the alleged sexual assault in a 2017 interview with German newspaper Der Spiegel, Mayorga claimed Ronaldo raped her at a Las Vegas hotel in 2009.
The American woman had reportedly reached an out-of-court settlement with Ronaldo in 2010, but spoke out with her accusations seven years later in an effort to seek millions more than the $375,000 (£304,000) sum she had received.
Donald Trump gifted Cristiano Ronaldo a key to the White House during his visit to DC
The lawsuit against Ronaldo, who has consistently and strongly denied the allegations, was dismissed by a US judge in 2022 because the accuser’s lawyer relied on leaked and stolen records.
Trump thanked Ronaldo for meeting his teenage soccer-obsessed son Barron on the visit, saying during his speech: ‘My son is a big fan of Ronaldo… Barron got to meet him and I think he respects his father a little bit more now – just the fact that I introduced you. So I just want to thank you both for being here.’
After his visit, Ronaldo thanked Trump for hosting him with a message on Instagram: ‘Thank you Mr. President for your invitation and for the warm welcome you and the First Lady gave me and my future wife.
‘Each of us has something meaningful to give, and I stand ready to do my part as we inspire new generations to build a future defined by courage, responsibility and lasting peace.’
Trump also gifted Ronaldo a gold key to the White House, something reserved for special guests. Previous recipients include Bibi Netanyahu, the Israeli PM, and Elon Musk.
