Cristiano Ronaldo’s older sister has leapt to the soccer legend’s defense after firing off on ‘hypocrites’ who criticized him for visiting the White House.
Earlier this week Ronaldo and fiancee Georgina Rodriguez headed to Washington, D.C. to meet Donald Trump, with the pair in attendance for a glitzy black-tie dinner alongside some of the most powerful leaders on the globe Tuesday night.
The trio also shared a laugh and a joke while taking a stroll together away from the dinner, before Cristiano and Georgina were invited into the Oval Office.
Inevitably, their interaction with the President sparked a liberal meltdown on social media, with some of Ronaldo’s long-time fans even hitting out at him for cozying up to Trump.
Amid outrage over his trip to Washington, Katia Aveiro – the five-time Champions League winner’s sister – has unleashed a furious rant towards his critics.
In a passionate video on Instagram, Aveiro described her younger brother as someone ‘who never needed favors, parties, ideologies or scripted speeches’.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister has blasted ‘hypocrites’ outraged over his trip to meet Donald Trump
The Portuguese soccer star posed alongside Trump on his visit to the White House this week
‘He only needed hard work,’ she insisted. ‘Something that many of his critics only know by hearing about.’
Aveiro then continued: ‘He visits the White House, and suddenly it’s a nuclear emotional explosion! Hypocrites, you’re all hypocrites! Suddenly, such a huge hysteria breaks out, as if Cristiano had just announced the end of the world! A visit to the White House becomes, in some people’s minds, a diplomatic crime.
‘For 20 years, he has carried Portugal on his shoulders, he came from poverty, and he built an empire without any shortcuts. Do you really think he will lose a single neuron worrying because a few outraged people decided to pretend [it is a] scandal?
‘Cristiano Ronaldo has done more for the country than any roundtable discussion. He put Portugal in the conversation with the greatest. And what have you done?
‘Thank you, Cristiano Ronaldo, for everything you’ve done for our country. I am proud of you as big as the world. Thank you!’
After Trump welcomed Ronaldo during his speech at the black-tie event on Tuesday evening, the White House shared video the next morning of the two men walking side by side along with Rodriguez, next to The Presidential Walk of Fame. ‘Two GOATS,’ the footage was captioned, adding: ‘CR7 x 45/47’.
Speaking Tuesday, Trump also thanked Ronaldo for earning him some extra adoration from his soccer-obsessed son, Barron.
According to expert lip-reader NJ Hickling, he confided in the ex-Real Madrid and Manchester United superstar about his 19-year-old’s sporting abilities.
Katia Aveiro, Ronaldo’s older sister, took to Instagram to defend her brother amid the backlash
Trump invited Ronaldo and his fiancee Georgina Rodriguez into the Oval Office in Washington
‘He doesn’t play at all. It’s a shame, really. It’s a great sport,’ Trump appears to say. ‘You know, it takes a great player to play football.’
Ronaldo late thanked Trump for hosting him, writing on Instagram: ‘Thank you Mr. President for your invitation and for the warm welcome you and the First Lady gave me and my future wife.
‘Each of us has something meaningful to give, and I stand ready to do my part as we inspire new generations to build a future defined by courage, responsibility and lasting peace.’
Trump said at Tuesday’s dinner: ‘This room is loaded up with the biggest leaders in the world – business, sports. My son is a big fan of Ronaldo… Barron got to meet him and I think he respects his father a little bit more now – just the fact that I introduced you.’
