U.S. President Donald Trump revealed his soccer GOAT after the 2025 Club World Cup final on Sunday, which he attended alongside First Lady Melania and FIFA chief Gianni Infantino. However, the American president didn’t name Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, instead, he chose Brazilian legend Pele.
Speaking to DAZN during the final, Trump said he had watched Pele during the Brazilian’s stint with the now-defunct New York Cosmos. “Many years ago, when I was young, they brought a player called Pele to play, and he played for a team called the Cosmos. And this place was packed, it was an earlier version of this stadium.”
“I don’t want to date myself, but that was a long time ago, and I was a young guy, so I came to watch Pelé and he was fantastic. So probably I’ll go old-fashioned — that’s like saying Babe Ruth, and say Pele was so great,” he added.
Pele played for the New York Cosmos in the North American Soccer League (NASL), which was the top professional league in the United States and Canada at the time, from 1975 to 1977. He scored 37 goals in 64 appearances.
In that sense, just like Lionel Messi today, Pele was one of the first soccer stars to play in the U.S., helping to change the landscape of the sport in the country. Other big names who played in the U.S. at the time include Franz Beckenbauer and Giorgio Chinaglia.
United States prepare for the upcoming World Cup
In addition to watching the match, the U.S. president also presented the trophy to Chelsea. The Blues were crowned champions after defeating PSG 3–0 in the final at MetLife Stadium, closing a successful (though eventful) first edition of the revamped Club World Cup.
Reece James #24 of Chelsea FC holds the FIFA Club World Cup trophy after their team’s victory as intereacts with U.S. President Donald Trump (David Ramos/Getty Images)
Having hosted this summer’s expanded Club World Cup, the U.S. will now gear up to stage the FIFA World Cup next year. The global competition will return to North America for the first time in 32 years, with Mexico and Canada also serving as co-hosts.
