-The Apotheosis of Hypocrisy-
Warning: The following is NOT a widely popular opinion (or perhaps not popular at all).
Cristiano Ronaldo accepted an invitation from Donald Trump to a dinner hosted by the American president for the Saudi prince. Because, as he said, he holds him in high regard as a person (don’t imagine anything else). In other words, he sees him as yet another ideal opportunity for even more business.
You see — and I apologize for the digression — Trump condemns Middle Eastern states and the lack of freedom they exude. The fact that women have no rights, that they are theocratic, oppressive, and all that…
EXCLUDES, however, those who do “business” with him.
Iran (in some cases absolutely justifiably) has heard countless insults and has even been threatened with annihilation.
Saudi Arabia, equally unfree and with a similar model to Iran, enjoys the President’s affection. Because — according to Trump’s usual habit — when the state “offers him various things,” the remaining… trivialities are overlooked.
The digression ends here.
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-The Disgust-O-Meter in the Red-
At the dinner, Cristiano Ronaldo was present, resulting in Donald Trump and the international Portuguese being in the same room. It was as if someone had cooked okra with boiled goat eyes: we were not just disliking them one-dimensionally but rather in stereo.
If there were a disgust-o-meter, the two of them together would surpass half of the world’s population in unlikability.
(I continue to remind you: this concerns my personal aesthetic.)
Trump, in a display of skill in the language of so-called flattery, declared that the room was filled with global leaders in business, sports, etc.
He also added that his son is a big fan of Cristiano.
(Now that’s something we care about, isn’t it, Donaldo?)
The Portuguese narcissist, in turn, expressed his admiration for Trump, whom he has previously described as a leader capable of changing the world. And thus, disgust arose from their mutual flattery.
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-The Media, The Selfies & The Heartfelt Favor-
The media friendly to the President (aka Fox and other such outlets) characterized Cristiano’s presence at a dinner honoring the Saudi prince as “symbolic.”
After all, as is well known, Ronaldo makes his bread there.
The X and other social platforms erupted with… love for the meeting between the two men:
They mentioned the guy (Cristiano) who sat at the same table as Trump and Musk while they discussed geopolitical matters, and he went there to take selfies with Trump’s son.
That Cristiano had some favor to ask — and not just to find free food (he doesn’t need it; besides, he doesn’t eat just anything).
And other such charming remarks.
Which are, of course, not so charming after all, as Donaldo would say.
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-The Conclusion (or rather: the truly dangerous part)-
Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence there not only threatens to break the world record for accumulated unlikability but also carries other interpretations.
The most significant one:
The guy whom our American friends voted for President — and consequently World Leader — is a shrewd and dangerous businessman who does not consider anything too sacred to be sacrificed at the altar of business.
The Papas – Ratsis
