Ronaldo Headlines White House Visit, MBS Brings the Body Count
When the BBC announces Cristiano Ronaldo is set to visit the White House on the same day as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), it's not simply a scheduling quirk. It's a masterclass in 'sportswashing' and reputation laundering—a Saudi speciality. The article notes Ronaldo is 'handsomely paid' for his role in the 'modernisation plan,' which is just another way of saying he's a highly
effective distraction from, say, the 2018 assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which US intelligence documented was approved by MBS himself . While the mainstream media obsesses over Ronaldo's footwork, the real game is MBS, whose regime has been criticized by Amnesty International for widespread human rights abuses , including mass executions and repression of dissent. This White House
visit isn't about fostering democracy; it's about solidifying geopolitical alliances and arms deals, with Ronaldo providing the shiny veneer of legitimacy. How many dazzling goals does it take to erase the bloodstains?