Keith Olbermann, a former sports commentator turned political commentator, has sparked controversy by criticizing Cristiano Ronaldo following the soccer star’s recent visit to the White House. Olbermann’s remarks, published on X, described Ronaldo as a ‘fascist scumbag,’ a label that has drawn significant attention given the context of his presence at the event. Ronaldo’s attendance at the White House dinner, held in honor of the Saudi crown prince, coincided with his contract with Al-Nassr, a club in the Saudi Pro League, with a reported two-year contract worth approximately $400 million. The incident highlights the complex interplay between sports, politics, and public figures, as Olbermann’s sharp critique follows Trump’s public praise for Ronaldo, who expressed admiration for Trump’s potential to influence global change.
Ronaldo, who plays for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, was at the White House dinner for the Saudi crown prince. It was the first time Ronaldo had been in the United States in nearly 10 years. His current two-year contract is reportedly worth around $400 million. During a speech to a group that included Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Apple CEO Tim Cook, Trump praised Ronaldo, mentioning that his son Barron had met the soccer star and that he respects his father a little more now. Ronaldo, who has also shared how he feels about Trump, recently said during an interview with Piers Morgan that Trump is ‘one of the guys that can help to change the world.’
The World Cup begins June 11, 2026, and concludes July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. With Portugal qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo will compete in his sixth tournament next summer in North America. He and Argentina’s Lionel Messi will make history when they step on the pitch as the only players to ever appear in six men’s World Cups. Ronaldo said this will ‘definitely’ be his last appearance for Portugal on the World Cup stage, though there was a question about whether he’d play in another tournament following the team’s stunning loss to Morocco in the previous World Cup. Trump has also been heavily involved in the sport, and his FIFA task force is preparing for next year’s tournament, which will be played in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.