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United States President Donald Trump has weighed in on the debate over the greatest football player of all time.


Trump was in attendance at the Club World Final on Sunday at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, as Chelsea overwhelmed Paris Saint-Germain in the first half and beat the European champions 3-0 on Sunday in the final of the first expanded Club World Cup.


Asked after the game during a DAZN broadcast to name his all-time favourite footballer, Trump named Pelé as the greatest of all time.

Trump also reminisced about Pelé’s time in the United States, especially his stint with the New York Cosmos in the now-defunct NASL, where the Brazilian legend played from 1975 until his retirement in 1977.

He said, “Many years ago, when I was young, they brought a player named Pele to play, and he played for a team called the Cosmos.

“He was the inspiration we had, and this place was packed. It was an earlier version of this stadium, but right here in the Meadowlands, and it was Pele.

“I don’t want to date myself, but that was a long time ago. I was a young guy, and I came to watch Pele, and he was fantastic. And I would, I’d say, probably go old-fashioned. That’s like saying Babe Ruth, but I would say Pele was so great.”

Trump has openly expressed his intention to use this year’s Club World Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup as symbols of a “Golden Age of America” during what he envisions as his second term in office.

The 2026 World Cup, with its final set to take place at the same stadium, will align with the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.

Source: https://vanguardngr.com/No-Messi-or-Ronaldo-Trump-names-his-greatest-footballer-of-all-time

I watched videos of Pele, Pele was great but I'll still choose Messi and ronaldo.
Pele didn't have many strong rival like M10 or Cr7 in his days, also football rules weren't this hard and skills weren't this refined during Pele time.

The duo dominated when Benzema, scholes, De bryne, Xavi, Pique, Ramos etc were on the pitch with crazy passes and crazy tackles.
When it comes to dribble, there is no one that existed on this planet that does it better than Ankara messi

Ok. Hj
Pele was great Maradona was also great and Trump is a great man

Trump up
He is right here, even though it's old fashioned

Pele is the real 🐐

So very true.

Pele was a colossus in his days and those who watched him would say this generation of players have nothing on him.
Some may mention Messi sha but Pele never had the luxury of sport science, medical care and the kind of monetary incentives that Messi currently enjoys.

Pele over Cristiano and Messi? No...I disagree. His opinion though

You try jare Orange Man, at least you sabi Pele sha

Pele won 3 FIFA World Cups and was top scorer in all three. He also scored more than a thousand goals throughout his career. Although FIFA disputes this since many of his goals were off camera/off the record during his playing time in Brazil. Either way, he's the greatest player that ever lived. In my humble opinion.

To me, the greatest football player I've seen is that Brazilian called Ronaldinho.

He is a talented footballer with skills to dribble his opponent and locates his teammate(s) with one kind banana pass.

He is a footballer extraordinary.

I left.

Can you remember the move of hitting a ball hard on an opponent player and taking advantage of the rebound. That is a Pelé move. He was a genius.

Messi is way better.....

He didn't watch messi😀


Trump has zero football knowledge

And what we call “ sangalo” in Nigeria bicycle kicks that is another Pelé move.

His way of no disrespecting Messi who is trying to promote the game in America.... Baba for mention Ronaldo straight away 😂😂... He is Ronaldo type of guy

richmond500:
I watched videos of Pele, Pele was great but I'll still choose Messi and ronaldo.
Pele didn't have many strong rival like M10 or Cr7 in his days, also football rules weren't this hard and skills weren't this refined during Pele time.

The duo dominated when Benzema, scholes, De bryne, Xavi, Pique, Ramos etc were on the pitch with crazy passes and crazy tackles.
When it comes to dribble, there is no one that existed on this planet that does it better than Ankara messi

Maradona and Ronaldinho were better dribblers than Messi

When were you watching Pele like Trump? Please tell us about facilities, Medicare, goalies, financing and Media involved in football ⚽ during Pele's era so we can make our own decisions as well

amechispeaks:
Pele won 3 FIFA World Cups and was top scorer in all three. He also scored more than a thousand goals throughout his career. Although FIFA disputes this since many of his goals were off camera/off the record during his playing time in Brazil. Either way, he's the greatest player that ever lived. In my humble opinion.

Pele was never top scorer in any world cup.... ur info is wrong

richmond500:
I watched videos of Pele, Pele was great but I'll still choose Messi and ronaldo.
Pele didn't have many strong rival like M10 or Cr7 in his days, also football rules weren't this hard and skills weren't this refined during Pele time.

The duo dominated when Benzema, scholes, De bryne, Xavi, Pique, Ramos etc were on the pitch with crazy passes and crazy tackles.
When it comes to dribble, there is no one that existed on this planet that does it better than Ankara messi

No, you can't conclude that Pele didn't have many strong rivals. He definitely would have because football is played globally. The problem then was that football followership isn't as massive and diverse as we have it now. Also, all of the technology that makes it easier to watch multiple leagues and players at a time were almost inexistent then. Another factor is the significantly increased number of competitions.

Now we continue to have additions like Club World Cup, Nations League, Conference League, etc. that increase the focus of multiple players at a time.

Also, it's normal for anyone who didn't witness that era first-hand to think Pele had no rivals. The truth is, in life, if you're not the best, nobody will remember you, no matter how good you are.

In 50-60 years' time, people of then would also think Messi and Ronaldo were the only players of this era. Nobody would remember the likes of Iniesta, Xavi, Benzema, etc.

MERCHANDISER:
Messi is way better.....

He didn't watch messi😀


Trump has zero football knowledge

Messi that failed at psg ... Messi na just propaganda

This is not even a debate, Pele is the greatest of all time. Everyone shouting Ronaldo and messi probably think football started 15years ago. When I watched clips of Pele, I was amazed at his brilliance in a time when there were butchers in form of defenders. Don't just watch Pele in world cup even his club games, he was head and shoulders above every other person including Diego Maradona. Many great talents existed like Socrates, Tostao, Garrincha, Romario, Bebeto, Baggio Cryuff et al but Pele is indeed the greatest to have stepped into a football pitch

cr7lomo:
Maradona and Ronaldinho were better dribblers than Messi

they were great dribbers with skills.
The difference between them and Messi is that Messi dribbles with speed while the ball is still on his legs, he dribbles like he is falling while running with the ball glued to his legs, he can dribble pass 5 defenders by moving in zigzag line and the defenders won't have enough time to react to the dribble cos the ball is always closer to messi's leg.
Messi dribbles is the hardest I have seen

Definitely, Pele isn't the greatest anymore, but he's preferred by many because he was the first outstanding footballer on the world scene.

richmond500:
I watched videos of Pele, Pele was great but I'll still choose Messi and ronaldo.
Pele didn't have many strong rival like M10 or Cr7 in his days, also football rules weren't this hard and skills weren't this refined during Pele time.

The duo dominated when Benzema, scholes, De bryne, Xavi, Pique, Ramos etc were on the pitch with crazy passes and crazy tackles.
When it comes to dribble, there is no one that existed on this planet that does it better than Ankara messi

You were not born in that era so you wont understand. Somronne won 3 worldcups, the greatest anybody has ever won and you are downplaying it? Lol

cr7lomo:
Messi that failed at psg ... Messi na just propaganda

How did he fail at psg,don't you understand the position he was playing at psg?😀

Trump wey no Dey watch football don put fire for football lovers camp.

When you are great. You are GREAT

richmond500:
I watched videos of Pele, Pele was great but I'll still choose Messi and ronaldo.
Pele didn't have many strong rival like M10 or Cr7 in his days, also football rules weren't this hard and skills weren't this refined during Pele time.

The duo dominated when Benzema, scholes, De bryne, Xavi, Pique, Ramos etc were on the pitch with crazy passes and crazy tackles.
When it comes to dribble, there is no one that existed on this planet that does it better than Ankara messi

Is either he is great or not. He was what he was for his era. Refined or not. We dont know how much football would have evolved in a hundred years time and how messi ronaldo skill will be made to look obsolete. If they are great they are great. Greatness is never time bound.

Lol European Football no be America thing....


The same way Alot of Americans thinks African is a Country and not a continent is the same way Most of them don't know who's Messi or Ronaldo....

Basic:
No, you can't conclude that Pele didn't have many strong rivals. He definitely would have because football is played globally. The problem then was that football followership isn't as massive and diverse as we have it now. Also, all of the technology that makes it easier to watch multiple leagues and players at a time were almost inexistent then. Another factor is the significantly increased number of competitions.

Now we continue to have additions like Club World Cup, Nations League, Conference League, etc. that increase the focus of multiple players at a time.

Also, it's normal for anyone who didn't witness that era first-hand to think Pele had no rivals. The truth is, in life, if you're not the best, nobody will remember you, no matter how good you are.

In 50-60 years' time, people of then would also think Messi and Ronaldo were the only players of this era. Nobody would remember the likes of Iniesta, Xavi, Benzema, etc.

The only person that revolutionalize football was cruyff, George best was only euro focused.

Messi deh disregard force of gravity, he does close dribble, magical elite visionary. Pele is like a tank, both foot, strong, great header for his era.
Ronaldo has the height, the agility, fearless, ruthless, he was like a player built in a lab.

You can't compare Messi to Pele, except for strength which Pele posses, Messi dust him in everything, dribbles, quick turns, great passes etc

MERCHANDISER:
Messi is way better.....

He didn't watch messi😀


Trump has zero football knowledge

Messi is probably the best of this Generation, but if he existed in Pele's Generation, he wouldn't even make the 23 man squad of Argentina, His career would have ended before it even started. Rogue defenders for use am do pepper soup. Football was very difficult in the 60's and 70's. Tackle from behind was legit. Omo na who get mind dey attempt dribble. Defenders wey dia laps big like tree trunk and chest heavy like barrel. Dem resemble wrestlers. Every match na War. Ronaldo sef go retire at 30. Injury will not allow them play for this long. Pele is the Greatest to have ever kicked a football, Messi should be a close second. Football belongs to Brazil and the king is Pele

Wainey:
they were great dribbers with skills.
The difference between them and Messi is that Messi dribbles with speed while the ball is still on his legs, he dribbles like he is falling while running with the ball glued to his legs, he can dribble pass 5 defenders by moving in zigzag line and the defenders won't have enough time to react to the dribble cos the ball is always closer to messi's leg.
Messi dribbles is the hardest I have seen

Ronaldo also dribbled with even more speed ...go watch Ronaldo at United and early Madrid days ... but Maradona Ronaldinho were better dribblers... the greatest world cup goal in history is Maradonas goal against England .... dribbled from half of the field plus keeper join ... and England was one of the best defensive teams at that time... Maradona wasn't protected by refs like they protect Messi....

Maradona was better than Messi...he did wonders at a napoli that were unknown... its like Messi joining Brentford or Southampton and then annihilating the EPL with likes of united , Chelsea Liverpool, arsenal , City, spurs and winning the league against all odds back to back ... and he was a WC winner and best player in the World when he joined te most challenging league in the world with the likes of Juventus, Milan, inter , lazio , Parma, Roma ... Messi could have never done that, even in his primest period.... Fifa was against Maradona and Argentina in the 80s and 90s and hatte Maradona....he still did it...unlike the pampering Messi receives from same fifa

redcliff:
You were not born in that era so you wont understand. Somronne won 3 worldcups, the greatest anybody has ever won and you are downplaying it? Lol

If Messi had played in peles era, he will score crazy goals, defenders weren't organized as they are now.
Though his time will be shortened cos of physicality but he will adapt well.
Pele was complete but he lacks that clinical maneuvering that Messi has

Think about this
1. They probably brought in cards Yellow and Red because of Pele

He played 4 World Cups
1958.1962, 1966, 1970

His treatment in the 1966 world Cup was so brutal that was a major contributor to the introduction o cards in 1970

For me that alone makes it impossible to compare players today to when he played

Imagine playing against defenders who know the worst thing that will happen is a free kick/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8GdiMW4BL8

Now you have all kinds of protection for strikers including No back pass rule
When Pele played you could pass the ball to the Keeper and he could pick it up 100 times
EURO 1992 SCANDAL PETER SHMEICHEL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SX2HcvMkOiA

Overall those two rules make strikers work much easier

Now you even get a straight red if you are the last defender

Pele was very rugged but did not get the protection modern strikers have