​Jermaine Eluemunor has built an NFL career as one of the biggest men on the field, but his first sports dream belonged to a very different kind of football.TMZ Sports reported that the New York Giants offensive lineman said he wanted to become a professional soccer player while growing up in England.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe London-born tackle joked that one major thing got in the way, he was simply too big.Eluemunor told TMZ Sports that he has always been a huge fan of the game. He said that as a kid in Europe, he wanted to play professionally, but his size made that path unlikely.The Giants list Eluemunor at 6-foot-4 and 338 pounds, which helps explain why American football eventually became the better fit.He told TMZ that he believes he was put on earth to play American football, calling it his love and passion.Eluemunor said soccer development looked very different once he came to the United States. As a kid, he said he had only played once or twice a week, but later realized that players aiming for the top level train every day.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHis official Giants biography says he played soccer and rugby while growing up in London before playing American football for the first time in high school.From there, his path led through Lackawanna College, Texas A&M and the 2017 NFL Draft, where the Baltimore Ravens selected him in the fifth round.Even though the NFL became his career, Eluemunor has not lost his connection to the U.K. sports scene. TMZ reported that he spent part of the summer in England hosting his second annual American football camp.He said spreading the game in England is something he cares deeply about.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Giants’ biography also notes that Eluemunor previously met with students at an NFL Flag clinic in Germany, part of his broader connection to the league’s international growth.The interview landed as England prepared to face Messi and Argentina in the World Cup semifinal. Eluemunor made it clear where his loyalty was, predicting that England was going to “smack” Argentina.He also praised Norway star Erling Haaland, calling him a rare physical player and comparing his athletic profile to someone who could fit American football.England and Argentina were scheduled to meet Wednesday, July 15, with the winner set to face Spain in the World Cup final.