President Donald Trump praised the skill of Lionel Messi and other global football stars during a FIFA reception in New York City on Friday.
The appearance highlights the intersection of sports and diplomacy as the United States hosts the final stages of the tournament. The event served to promote the U.S. as a host and celebrate the journey of the competing teams.
Speaking ahead of the 2026 [1] FIFA World Cup Final between Argentina and Spain, Trump focused on the technical precision of the game. He specifically highlighted the vision and passing ability of Messi, describing the player's performance as brilliant.
"I watched that pass that Messi made... It was within, I would say, a quarter of an inch of be," Trump said.
Beyond the Argentinian captain, the president also applauded the contributions of Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane. The reception was designed to build momentum for the championship match, emphasizing the global scale of the tournament held on American soil.
Trump used the gathering to underscore the success of the 2026 [1] tournament's organization. He noted the excitement surrounding Argentina's path to the final and the anticipation of the clash with Spain.
Throughout the event, the administration sought to align the prestige of the World Cup with the visibility of the U.S. as a global hub for major sporting events. The reception brought together football officials, and dignitaries to mark the culmination of the competition.
“"I watched that pass that Messi made... It was within, I would say, a quarter of an inch of be"”
The president's public endorsement of global athletes like Messi, Ronaldo, and Kane serves as a soft-power tool to bolster the image of the United States as a welcoming and successful host for the 2026 World Cup. By aligning himself with the world's most popular sports figures, the administration leverages the massive global audience of the Argentina-Spain final to project a positive image of U.S. hospitality and organizational capability.
