Football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a personal peace message to Donald Trump through a signed Portugal jersey, delivered at the G7 summit in Canada by European Council head Antonio Costa.
The Portuguese official presented Trump with the 'Ronaldo 7' kit bearing the handwritten message "Playing for peace" from the 40-year-old striker.
Costa shared the moment on X, writing: "To President Donald Trump. Playing for peace. As a team."
The two leaders posed for photographs with Trump holding the jersey.
Football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a personal peace message to Donald Trump through a signed Portugal jersey, delivered at the G7 summit in Canada by European Council head Antonio Costa
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Ronaldo, fresh from Portugal's Nations League triumph, penned the message during his off-season break as tensions escalate between Israel and Iran.
The gesture's timing coincides with mounting global security concerns, though it remains unclear whether Ronaldo's message specifically addressed the Middle East conflict or represented a broader peace appeal.
Despite Trump's initial optimism about achieving peace, posting on Truth Social that "We will have PEACE, soon, between Israel and Iran! Many calls and meetings now taking place," his actions at the summit told a different story.
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To President @realdonaldtrump.
— António Costa (@eucopresident) June 16, 2025
Playing for peace. As a team. pic.twitter.com/iLGAmbmu0J
The US president refused to sign a joint G7 statement calling for de-escalation in the conflict before departing the summit early.
Trump told reporters he needed to return to Washington "for obvious reasons" and dismissed the possibility of a ceasefire, stating: "I'm not looking for a ceasefire, we're looking at better than a ceasefire."
Speaking on Air Force One, he noted: "The Israelis aren't slowing up their barrage on Iran... You're going to find out over the next two days."
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Trump issued stark warnings to Iran via Truth Social, declaring: "Iran should have signed the 'deal' I told them to sign. What a shame, and waste of human life."
He emphasised his position on Tehran's nuclear ambitions, posting: "Simply stated, IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!"
The evacuation warning echoed earlier Israeli military advisories for residents in one Tehran district to leave the area.
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The 78-year-old president's social media posts marked a significant escalation in rhetoric as the conflict between Israel and Iran entered its fifth day, with Israeli forces intensifying attacks targeting Iran's nuclear facilities.
Israeli media reports suggest the US military is preparing to join potential attacks on Iran, with an unnamed official telling i24 News that "US Central Command thinks it should join, but there are senior officials in the administration who are currently opposing the move."
American naval forces are already positioning in the region, with a carrier strike group and three destroyers currently in the Arabian Sea.
Conflicts in the Middle East continue to rumble on with Israel and Iran at war
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The USS Nimitz is expected to arrive in the coming days, signalling Washington's military readiness.
Israel announced it had assassinated Iran's wartime chief of staff, described as the closest official to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, shortly after his predecessor was killed in strikes.
Israeli defence minister Israel Katz has warned Khamenei he could face "a fate similar to Saddam Hussein."
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