US President Donald Trump has declared Inter Miami star Lionel Messi as "the biggest soccer star on this planet" following Chelsea's triumph in the FIFA Club World Cup on Sunday night.
Trump made these remarks while speaking to DAZN after watching Chelsea defeat Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the final match to lift the prestigious trophy.
While the US leader reportedly considers the late Brazilian icon Pelé as the greatest footballer of all time (GOAT), he expressed high regard for the Argentine superstar who currently plays in Major League Soccer.
"Messi, yes, he's a great star, probably the biggest soccer star on this planet," Trump stated. "Our country is lucky to have him playing here every week."
The comments highlight the significant impact Messi's move to Inter Miami has had on raising the profile of soccer in the United States, with even the country's president acknowledging the value of having the World Cup winner competing in the domestic league.
Interestingly, Messi and Inter Miami participated in this year's FIFA Club World Cup but were eliminated in the round of sixteen, failing to advance to the later stages of the competition.
Chelsea Dominates PSG to Claim Club World Cup
In the final match that Trump attended, Chelsea delivered an impressive performance against Paris Saint-Germain. Cole Palmer was the standout player, scoring two identical goals and providing an assist for João Pedro as the London club netted three first-half goals to secure a comfortable victory.
The win marks a significant achievement for Chelsea, with FIFA recognizing them as the first winners of the newly formatted Club World Cup.
Trump described the final as "tremendous sport" while praising the quality of play displayed by both teams, particularly Chelsea's dominant first-half performance.
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