While most of the world refers to the sport of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar as “football”, in the United States the sport is called “soccer”. But this may change soon, at least that suggested President Donald Trump after the Club World Cup final.
In an interview with the Dazn channel, which detained the rights to broadcast from Chelsea, the Republican was asked about the possibility of officially adopting the term “football”.
“They call ‘football’, but we call ‘soccer’. But this change could be made very easily,” said Trump. “I think we can do that. I think I could do that,” he added, smiling, without making it clear if he talked seriously about the possibility.
Although the term “football” is widely used in Europe and in much of the world, including Brazil, countries like the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa adopt the word “soccer” to refer to sport.
The origin of the term is British. “Soccer” emerged as an abbreviation from Association Soccer Football, to differentiate the game from other variants. The word Football, in English, literally means “ball with the foot”.
Trump watched the Club World Cup final at Metlife Stadium, where Chelsea defeated Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 at the invitation of FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The Republican was booed by the audience present at the stadium as he appeared in the big screen before the ball rolled.
