Trump says 'hard to bet against Messi' in World Cup final, stops short of picking Argentina
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: President Donald Trump on Sunday, July 19, was asked to do something even a US president might find difficult: pick a winner between Argentina and Spain in the FIFA World Cup final.
He declined to name a side, but when Lionel Messi entered the conversation, Trump appeared far less hesitant.
The president called the Argentine superstar one of the game's greatest and admitted that backing against him is almost impossible.
🚨 LMAO! Q: Argentina or Spain?
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 19, 2026
PRESIDENT TRUMP: "I knew you were gonna ask. I thought about it a lot!"
"I won't pick sides, but I think it's HARD to bet against Messi." 🔥🇺🇸🇦🇷pic.twitter.com/WCRA3ZRFFg
Trump hails 'great' Messi
With Argentina and Spain battling for the World Cup crown, Donald Trump was asked to name his pick, but he declined to choose a winner.
He said he had considered the question carefully, yet avoided committing to either side, while noting his friendly ties with Argentina’s president.
Still, Trump made his admiration for Lionel Messi unmistakable. “I would say that it’s hard to bet against Messi,” he said, later adding, “He’s great.”
His remarks shifted attention squarely onto the 39-year-old Argentine star.
Messi has already produced a standout tournament, scoring eight of Argentina’s 16 goals and adding to a remarkable World Cup tally that now spans six appearances.
Trump compares Lionel Messi with Cristiano Ronaldo
Trump's praise for Messi did not mean he was dismissing the other modern football great he has often mentioned.
When asked about the best players in the sport, Trump also brought up Cristiano Ronaldo.
He said both Messi and Ronaldo are players he has always liked, while describing Messi as “one of the greatest” to ever play the game.
.@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." :rolling_on_the_floor_laughing: https://t.co/dFTukNOB9r pic.twitter.com/RTB2vb3x17
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) July 19, 2026
Trump also credited his son Barron, a major soccer fan, for helping him keep up with the sport.
“I get this information from my son, Barron, who is a tremendous soccer fan,” Trump said.
The president's comments come as the World Cup reaches its decisive stage, with Argentina and Spain fighting for the biggest prize in international football.
While Trump refused to officially back either team, his repeated praise for Messi left little doubt about the player he believes is the hardest to bet against.
