Donald Trump has expressed his support for Argentina in today’s World Cup final, remarking, “It’s hard to bet against Messi.”
The former president is scheduled to present the World Cup trophy to the winner of the Sunday match between Argentina and Spain.
In a pre-match interview with Fox, Trump was questioned about his prediction for the game and mentioned he had anticipated the query. He referred to Argentine President Javier Milei as a “friend” and praised his excellent leadership, stating he believes Argentina will emerge victorious due to their star player.
He highlighted Messi’s stunning assist during the semi-final against England, saying, “I watched that pass… it was perfect. If you had a strike zone, it was exactly where it had to be. I also noticed how he evaded the defender; he was well-defended and then suddenly found himself open… It’s hard to bet against Messi; he’s great.”
President Donald Trump reveals he’s backing Argentina ahead of the FIFA World Cup final (Fox Sports)
Trump chose not to weigh in on whether Messi is the greatest player of all time, mentioning his acquaintance with Cristiano Ronaldo and reminiscing about watching Pele play for the New York Cosmos.
“I got to see Pele play, and he was amazing,” Trump remarked. “These are all exceptional players, including France’s Mbappe, who certainly ranks among the greats. My son, Barron, is a huge soccer fan, and he keeps me informed.”
Continuing, he said, “There are many incredible players in this tournament, but right now, it’s been a longstanding admiration for both Ronaldo and Messi. I recently met Messi, and I’ve known Cristiano; they seem to have a good life. Honestly, they probably have it easier than I do! I’d love to swap lives for a month.”
When asked about the prospect of hosting the World Cup in the United States again, Trump shared an idea for FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
“He started it all, and I suggested, ‘Let’s host it, but you might end up with a lot of empty stadiums!’ That didn’t happen at all; I think they were nearly 100% full,” the president noted.
He elaborated, “I had a great concept for Gianni. I said, ‘For the next tournament, announce two countries together, easing the shock and disappointment!’ Now, I think this is a solid idea. Given the attendance numbers, we’ll be pushing for this again right away. You heard it here, Gianni!”