Trump chooses the one he believes is the best footballer of all time and explains why
The president of the United States compared his soccer idol to Babe Ruth and was proud to have seen him play live
“I’ll probably go with the classic. It’s like saying Babe Ruth, but I would say Pelé was great,” Trump told DAZN, comparing him to the legendary baseball player.
Trump recalled Pelé’s time with the New York Cosmos, a team for which he played from 1975 until his retirement from soccer in 1977.
“Many years ago, when I was young, they brought a player named Pelé to play for a team called the Cosmos,” he said.
“I don’t want to give my age away—he’s 79—but it was a long time ago when I was a young boy, and I came to see Pelé, and he was fantastic,” Trump added.
Accompanied by US First Lady Melania Trump, the president watched the Club World Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea from the box alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino with whom he has a very good rapport.
Later, he went down to the pitch at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, to present the trophy to Chelsea captain Reece James with Infantino, as well as the medals for the winners and runners-up.
Instead of leaving after presenting the trophy, as is customary at these ceremonies, Trump remained with the Chelsea players when they raised the trophy and celebrated their victory with them.
According to the White House pool, Trump was booed at least three times during the trophy presentation. There was also applause and cheers, but the stadium music drowned out some of the sound.
*With information from EFE.