President Trump loves a winner. And when it comes to soccer, the man he talks up most isn't Lionel Messi or Kylian Mbappé—it's his own son. For years, Trump has made it a point to boast about Barron Trump's soccer skills, even as the 19-year-old towers over the competition at 6 feet, 9 inches.
"He's a good soccer player," Trump said earlier this year, adding with a chuckle, "He's on the tall side for soccer." That's an understatement. Barron is two inches taller than former England star Peter Crouch, who built a career on his height. But unlike Crouch, Barron isn't chasing a professional contract. According to a source who spoke to PEOPLE, the youngest Trump is focused on "business in general, developing properties, making money and being involved in successful projects."
Still, the president's pride in his son's athleticism has been a recurring theme, and it adds a personal note as Trump prepares to attend the FIFA Men's World Cup Final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The winner of Tuesday's semifinal between Spain and France will face the winner of Wednesday's Argentina-England clash. Trump is expected to be on stage when the trophy is handed out.
Not everyone is thrilled. CNN flagged the potential awkwardness, noting Trump "has made war on one country in the tournament and verbal war on many others." The network pointed to his tariffs, his attempts to influence elections in South America, and his America First foreign policy as sources of tension. That friction has already surfaced in other ways—like when Belgium's Romelu Lukaku trolled Trump with a dance and then jabbed "overturn this" after scoring. Some American fans even rooted against the USMNT after Trump's FIFA intervention, as seen in a recent report on fans cheering for Belgium.
Trump, who turned 80 this summer, seems unfazed. His history with soccer goes beyond Barron's brief stint on the pitch. He's waded into the sport's politics, warning FIFA that the US would cry "rigged" if they lost, and he's drawn both praise and criticism for his involvement. But the personal angle—a father bragging about his kid—is something many fans can relate to, even if the kid in question is 6'9" and already moving on to real estate.
Barron's height was a frequent punchline in Trump's remarks. "That's pretty tall," the president would repeat, as if marveling at his own genes. But the teenager's future lies elsewhere. "He has his own ideas and understands what people of his age are looking for," the source added. So while the world watches the World Cup final, the Trump family will be in the stands—and somewhere in the president's mind, he'll be thinking about the son who could have been a soccer star, if only he weren't so busy becoming a mogul.
For now, the spotlight is on the global game. But don't be surprised if, during the trophy presentation, the president finds a way to mention that his boy once scored a mean goal—even if that goal was on a field far from MetLife.
