Former President Donald Trump has offered a prediction for the World Cup final, favoring Lionel Messi and Argentina over Spain. Trump, who is in attendance for the match, shared his thoughts with Fox reporter Jenny Taft.
"I would say that it is hard to bet against Messi. He is great," Trump stated, referencing a pass he observed Messi make for a goal. Trump also noted that his son, Barron, who he described as a "tremendous soccer fan," frequently discusses soccer with him and shares his knowledge of the game.
Trump mentioned other notable players in the sport's history, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Pelé, whom he saw play for the Cosmos. He also noted a recent interaction with Messi and the Inter Miami team, whom he hosted at the White House to commemorate their Major League Soccer title.
Trump's comments on Spain were notably less favorable, referencing a recent UN summit where he criticized the country for its contributions to NATO. "Spain is a terrible partner in NATO. They don’t participate. They don’t pay," he said at the time. He also indicated that Spain had later made efforts to improve their standing with him.
Despite his criticisms, Trump is expected to be part of the trophy presentation ceremony after the game, alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino. One Spanish player, Borja Iglesias, has been critical of Trump in the past but indicated he would shake his hand if they met following the final.