Donald Trump Picks Pelé as the True GOAT During Club World Cup Final
In a surprising halftime moment during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final, former U.S. President Donald Trump reignited the age-old football GOAT conversation — and he didn’t side with Messi or Ronaldo.
Trump, who was present at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to watch Chelsea take on Paris Saint-Germain, took a nostalgic turn when asked about the greatest footballer of all time.
Speaking to DAZN Football as Chelsea led 3-0 thanks to goals from Cole Palmer and João Pedro, Trump went straight to his youth: “When I was younger, there was a man named Pelé. He came to play for a team called the Cosmos. Right here, in the old version of this stadium. That game… the energy, the magic — it was unforgettable.”
He drew a parallel to American baseball greats, saying, “It’s like saying Babe Ruth. There’s something timeless about Pelé. He was something else.”
That one comment was enough to set the football world buzzing, especially as it brushed aside today’s constant debate between Messi and Ronaldo.
Beyond the GOAT talk, Trump seemed genuinely thrilled to be in the thick of football fever. “It’s a fantastic sport,” he smiled, clearly enjoying the fast-paced final.
Chelsea ultimately cruised to victory with a convincing 3-0 win, but Trump’s Pelé shout may just be the post-match headline everyone keeps talking about.
