"They say he is the greatest player" - When Donald Trump spoke about Cristiano Ronaldo
Donald Trump, the 45th US President, commented on Cristiano Ronaldo during a 2018 discussion with Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The two politicians had talked about the player while the FIFA World Cup in Russia was ongoing.
As per CNN, the two met after Ronaldo had taken his national side to the tournament's Round of 16 by scoring four goals in three group games. Trump said about the then-Real Madrid superstar (via CNN):
“…They say he is the greatest player.”
Furthering the discussion about the forward, Trump asked Rebelo de Sousa:
“So, tell me, how good a player is he? Are you impressed?”
The Portuguese President replied:
“I’m very much impressed. He’s the best player [in] the world.”
Cristiano Ronaldo, however, couldn't take Portugal past the last-16 stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He failed to score in the knockout game as Uruguay beat his side 2-1 to progress to the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, as per FOX News, Donald Trump has won the US presidential elections for the second time and is set to be appointed the 47th President of the country.
How Cristiano Ronaldo's club career panned out after Donald Trump comments
Just a month after the aforementioned comments from Trump, Cristiano Ronaldo joined Juventus from Real Madrid in a €117 million move. He was sensational in Turin, scoring 101 goals and assisting another 22 in 134 appearances across competitions.
The Portuguese also won the Serie A twice among other honors during his three-year stay in Italy. He then joined Manchester United in a blockbuster move during the 2021 summer transfer window.
However, his second United stint ended unceremoniously as his contract was terminated by mutual consent in November 2022. Subsequently, he joined Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr in December of the same year.
He has been in fine form for the Saudi side, scoring 68 and assisting 18 goals in 78 matches for them across competitions. He is, however, yet to win a major silverware at the club.