'Much easier than my life': Trump reveals the two soccer stars he'd trade places with
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY: President Donald Trump on Sunday, July 19, praised Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of the FIFA World Cup final, joking that he would like to swap lives with either soccer star because they have "a much easier" life.
Trump made the remarks during a pre-match interview before attending the FIFA World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. He also described Messi as difficult to bet against while declining to formally pick a winner between defending champions Argentina and Spain.
.@POTUS: "I've always liked Ronaldo, I've always liked Messi. I met Messi just recently... They have a pretty good life. I think they have a very good life, actually—much easier than my life, really. I'd like to switch for about a month or so." 🤣 https://t.co/dFTukNOB9r pic.twitter.com/RTB2vb3x17
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 19, 2026
Trump praises Messi and Ronaldo ahead of FIFA World Cup final
During the interview, Trump identified Messi and Ronaldo as two of soccer's greatest players and reflected on meeting both athletes.
"I've always liked Ronaldo, I've always liked Messi. I met Messi just recently. And I have known Cristiano. They have a pretty good life. I think they have a very good life, actually, much easier than my life, really. I'd like to switch for about a month or so," he said.
On Sunday, Trump made history as the first sitting US president to attend a FIFA World Cup final.
Trump declines to pick a side but backs Messi's chances
When asked about his prediction for the championship match, Trump said he preferred not to officially take a side but acknowledged Argentina's chances because of Messi.
"I thought about it a lot. I knew that was a question. I hate to get involved, even though politically, it doesn't matter so much. The head of Argentina is a friend of mine; he's done a terrific job. But I would say that it's hard to bet against Messi," he said.
Trump on the World Cup final:
— Clash Report (@clashreport) July 19, 2026
I would say that it's hard to bet against Messi. I watched that pass—I guess you'd call it a pass. It was exactly perfect.
Although it takes some talent to hit the ball off the head coming at that speed, but that was perfect. If you had a strike… pic.twitter.com/Mrdf98AtsA
"I won't pick sides. I just think it's very hard to bet against Messi. He's great," the POTUS added.
Trump's appearance came as the 2026 FIFA World Cup concluded after the tournament expanded to 48 participating nations and was co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico. FIFA has reported record attendance during the competition, with millions of spectators attending matches across the three host countries.
The president's remarks also followed previous meetings with both soccer stars. Trump hosted Ronaldo at the White House last November and welcomed Messi alongside Inter Miami after the club's MLS Cup victory in March, where he described the Argentine forward as "one of the greatest footballers in the world."
