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The unknown side of President Donald Trump as a soccer fan

Trump has been associated with football since his youth and will now be president of the nation that will host most of the matches in the next World Cup.

The unknown side of President Donald Trump as a soccer fan
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Donald Trump has been closely connected to soccer since his youth, and now, he will be president of the nation hosting most of the matches for the next World Cup.

Donald Trump was inaugurated as President of the United States for the second time, which brings to mind his close relationship with soccer, a sport that has gradually gained popularity in the Stars and Stripes nation.

The businessman has been linked to soccer at various stages of his life, but one of the lesser-known aspects is his youth, when he played soccer during his high school years at the New York Military Academy, where he was a forward.

The MLS team Trump’s son played for

Although Trump’s passion shifted towards other sports like baseball and football, soccer has remained a part of his personal and business life. He has admitted to being a Manchester United fan and once came close to acquiring Atlético Nacional of Colombia, though the deal never materialised.

Additionally, his son Barron Trump has also inherited a love for soccer, having played in the youth academy of D.C. United, an MLS team, and being a fan of Arsenal in England. Recently, during a speech at the Club World Cup Draw, Trump expressed his excitement and commitment to the U.S. hosting several major soccer events, mentioning his connection to the sport through his son.

The United States has been in the international soccer spotlight in recent months, hosting tournaments like the Copa América and soon the Club World Cup and the 2026 World Cup. The potential growth of MLS, highlighted by the arrival of elite soccer stars like Messi, is also noteworthy.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has shown a close relationship with Donald Trump, confirming agreements and a shared interest in promoting soccer’s growth in the U.S.

This connection was evident as the Italian leader attended Trump’s inauguration as President of the United States.

Trump and Infantino have met plenty of times in the public eye.
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Trump and Infantino have met plenty of times in the public eye.REUTERS

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Original article written by Karina Ponce, translated with the assistance of AI and edited by Joe Brennan.

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