Ronaldo gifts jersey with ‘special message’ to Trump

Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, former U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted that the United States may join Israel in launching strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities. This statement has stirred international concern as the region remains on edge. However, amid this backdrop of potential conflict, Trump received an unexpected and symbolic gesture — a jersey from football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, wrapped in a message promoting peace.

Trump, who recently attended the G7 Summit in Canada to discuss global issues with world leaders, was given a surprise gift by former Portuguese Prime Minister and European Council President Antonio Costa. During a brief meeting, Costa handed Trump a Portugal national team jersey bearing Ronaldo’s iconic number 7. The jersey featured Ronaldo’s autograph and a handwritten message that read: “To President Donald J. Trump, playing for peace.”

This symbolic message from one of the world’s most famous athletes was seen by some as an attempt to promote dialogue and unity amid geopolitical tensions. A photo of Trump holding the jersey, smiling while showing the signature and message, quickly went viral on social media. Antonio Costa later shared the same photo on his official social media accounts, captioning it: “To President Donald Trump, playing for peace, as a team.”

The gesture has sparked a wide range of reactions online. Supporters of Trump and Ronaldo praised the message, interpreting it as a call for unity and diplomacy during uncertain times. Others, however, criticized the move, especially given Trump’s controversial record on foreign policy and military actions. Under Costa’s post, some users expressed their disappointment. One user commented, “Does this mean Ronaldo supports Trump and Costa’s genocide?” Another user added, “But this man is the cause of all the wars and chaos.”

It is important to note that Cristiano Ronaldo has not made any political statements related to the gesture. The jersey was presented by Costa, not directly by Ronaldo, and it remains unclear whether Ronaldo himself was involved in composing the message or approving the gift for Trump. Still, the optics of such a moment during a high-stakes summit have fueled debate across the globe.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who is currently 40 years old, continues to play professional football with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr. Despite speculation about a possible transfer to another club, Ronaldo has confirmed that he is staying with Al Nassr, especially after his recent success with the Portugal national team. He played a key role in helping his country win the UEFA Nations League, proving that he still has plenty to offer on the international stage.

This unique intersection of politics and sports has added another chapter to Ronaldo’s long and eventful career. While he is known for his footballing excellence, this moment has shown the global impact athletes can have in symbolic and cultural diplomacy — whether intended or not.

As for Trump, his message about potential action against Iran remains a significant development in global affairs. Whether the jersey gift changes the tone of those discussions remains to be seen, but it has certainly drawn the world's attention to the power of gestures and the influence of global icons like Cristiano Ronaldo in shaping narratives, even in the complex world of international politics.