Cristiano Ronaldo at a White House dinner – level 3
24-11-2025 15:00
Portuguese football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo attended a White House state dinner where US President Donald Trump welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marking the end of the Prince’s long diplomatic isolation
following the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Trump dismissed questions about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record during the visit. Ronaldo, who plays for Al-Nassr, a club majority-owned by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund chaired by the Prince, was seated with global business executives like Elon Musk and Tim Cook. Trump introduced the five-time Ballon d’Or winner to his son, Barron, and the football star actively promoted Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the 2034 World Cup.
The dinner coincided with the Prince’s renewed engagement with the US as Saudi Arabia pursues its Vision 2030 reform programme to diversify its economy and strengthen strategic partnerships, highlighted by Trump’s announcement of hundreds of billions in new Saudi investment commitments and the designation of Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally. Ronaldo, who secured Portugal’s spot in the 2026 World Cup, faces a likely ban for the opening match after receiving a red card.
Difficult words: diplomatic isolation (being separated or cut off from other countries in terms of official international relations, political discussions, and formal partnerships), coincide (to happen at the same time or during the same period), pursue (to follow or chase something, often an aim, goal, or course of action, over a long period).
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Which reform programme seeks to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy and strengthen its strategic partnerships?
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