No Messi or Ronaldo: Trump names his greatest footballer of all time
United States President Donald Trump has joined the global football debate, naming Pelé as the greatest football player of all time.
Trump made the comments during a live interview after attending the FIFA Club World Cup Final at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday.
The match saw Chelsea dominate Paris Saint-Germain, winning 3-0 to claim the title in the first edition of the expanded tournament.
Speaking to DAZN after the game, Trump reflected on Pelé’s historic impact on American soccer:
“Many years ago, when I was young, they brought a player named Pelé to play for a team called the New York Cosmos. He was the inspiration we had, and this place was packed. It was an earlier version of this stadium, but it was right here in the Meadowlands.”
Trump praised the Brazilian legend’s performance and influence, saying:
“I’d say, probably go old-fashioned—it’s like saying Babe Ruth—but I would say Pelé was so great.”
Pelé played for the New York Cosmos from 1975 to 1977 in the now-defunct NASL, helping spark interest in football across the U.S.
Club World Cup & 2026 World Cup: A Political Stage
Trump also used the occasion to underscore his vision for a “Golden Age of America.” He has signaled intentions to tie both the 2025 Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup to his broader campaign narrative, should he secure a second term in office.
The 2026 World Cup Final will also be hosted at the MetLife Stadium, aligning with the 250th anniversary of American independence, making the tournament historically and symbolically significant
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