In the aftermath of Juventus’ resounding 5-0 victory over Al Ain in the FIFA Club World Cup, the Italian club found itself in an unexpected and uncomfortable situation – a visit to the White House and a meeting with President Donald Trump.
According to Timothy Weah, a Juventus forward, the team was told they had to attend the meeting and had «no other choice.» Weah described the encounter as «a bit weird» when Trump began discussing sensitive political topics such as tensions with Iran and immigration, topics that had little to do with the team’s sporting achievements.
Visible Discomfort Among Juventus Players
Many members of the Juventus squad appeared visibly uncomfortable during the meeting, especially when Trump directly asked the Italian delegation if «a woman could play» on their team. After a moment of silence and indecision, Juventus officials responded by saying they had a «very good women’s team,» to which Trump quipped, «But they should play with the women, right?» The Juventus contingent remained silent, seemingly unsure how to respond to the President’s comments.
Navigating a Delicate Situation
The Juventus delegation sent to the White House included owner John Elkann, CEO Maurizio Scanavino, general manager Damien Comolli, director Giorgio Chiellini, and players Weston McKennie, Weah, Manuel Locatelli, Federico Gatti, Dusan Vlahovic, and Teun Koopmeiners, as well as coach Igor Tudor. The only American players present were McKennie and Weah, with the rest hailing from Serbia, the Netherlands, Italy, and Croatia.
In the end, Trump praised Elkann for being a successful businessman and the owner of Juventus, and the team presented the President with a Juventus jersey bearing his name and the number «47,» representing his position as the 47th US President.
A Lesson in Diplomacy and Navigating Sensitive Situations
The Juventus players’ discomfort during the White House visit serves as a reminder of the delicate balance that professional athletes must strike when navigating political and social issues. While the team was obligated to attend the meeting, they clearly struggled to find the right way to respond to Trump’s controversial remarks and maintain their focus on the sport they love.
