  Every graph $\Gamma$ can be embedded in the plane with a minimal number of
edge intersections, called its classical crossing number
$\text{cross}\left(\Gamma\right)$. In this paper, we prove that if $\Gamma$ is
a metric graph it can be realized as a tropical curve in the plane with exactly
$\text{cross}\left(\Gamma\right)$ crossings, where the tropical curve is
equipped with the lattice length metric. Our result has an application in
algebraic geometry, as it enables us to construct a rational map of
non-Archimedean curves into the projective plane, whose tropicalization is
almost faithful when restricted to their skeleton.
