Chistiano Ronaldo sends gift to Donald Trump with a bold message for peace

Football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has made a rare foray into global diplomacy, sending former U.S. President Donald Trump a Portugal national team jersey bearing the powerful message: “Playing for peace.” The gesture comes as tensions escalate between Israel and Iran, threatening broader conflict in the Middle East.

The jersey, emblazoned with Ronaldo’s iconic number 7, was personally handed to Trump at the recent G7 summit in Canada by European Council head Antonio Costa, who is also the Prime Minister of Portugal. Costa shared a photo of Trump holding the jersey on social media, captioning it: “To President Donald Trump. Playing for peace. As a team.”

While Ronaldo has not clarified whether his message referred specifically to the Israel-Iran conflict or the broader Israel-Palestine crisis, the intent was clear: an appeal for global unity and diplomacy amid rising hostilities.

Trump, who had earlier told reporters upon landing in Canada that he wants "better than a ceasefire" between Israel and Iran, later stormed out of the G7 summit without signing a joint statement calling for de-escalation. On his Truth Social platform, he posted, “We will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran! Many calls and meetings now taking place.”

Despite the optimistic tone, Trump also issued stern warnings, insisting Iran must not obtain nuclear weapons and urging evacuation of Tehran. Israeli airstrikes have reportedly killed key Iranian military figures, further inflaming the conflict. U.S. military assets have also been deployed in the region, signaling Washington‍‍`s increasing involvement, pending Trump’s authorization.

Israeli media reports suggest that the U.S. Central Command is preparing for potential action, with some senior American officials reportedly at odds over the decision.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo, fresh off Portugal’s Nations League success, is enjoying his offseason but chose this moment to deliver a symbolic message of peace. The 40-year-old remains one of the world’s most influential sports figures, and his outreach underscores how deeply global instability is being felt beyond the political sphere.

As war rhetoric intensifies, Ronaldo’s call for peace—however symbolic—highlights a growing desire among public figures for de-escalation and diplomacy in a world increasingly gripped by conflict.