Donald Trump refuses to leave podium in awkward moment as Spain lift World Cup
New Delhi ( Raghwendra Pratap Singh) : US President Donald Trump was greeted by loud boos from sections of the crowd before the FIFA World Cup trophy presentation on Sunday, before later being asked to step aside as Spain celebrated their triumph over Argentina.
Trump walked onto the field alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino at the New York New Jersey Stadium for the post-match ceremony after Spain defeated defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time. Infantino had announced before the presentation that Trump would hand the World Cup trophy to the winning captain.
As the pair emerged onto the pitch, boos rang out from the stands. The reaction subsided as the medal ceremony got underway, with Trump and Infantino presenting medals to both players and coaching staff before the trophy presentation.
Trump then handed the iconic World Cup trophy to Spain captain Rodri, who gathered his teammates around him for the traditional trophy lift. However, the US President initially remained standing among the celebrating players before officials gestured for him to move aside, allowing Rodri and his teammates to enjoy the moment without obstruction.
The brief exchange quickly went viral on social media, with videos of both the boos and the trophy-lift moment spreading rapidly online. The incident drew comparisons with the FIFA Club World Cup final earlier this year, when Trump remained on stage alongside Chelsea players after presenting the trophy. This time, however, World Cup protocol saw him step away before Spain lifted football’s biggest prize.
Spain secured their second World Cup title thanks to Ferran Torres’ extra-time winner after a tense and physical final. Argentina finished the match with 10 men after Enzo Fernandez was sent off for a second yellow card in stoppage time of normal time, ending Lionel Messi’s bid to retain the trophy won four years earlier.
While Spain celebrated a historic triumph, much of the immediate post-match discussion centred on the trophy ceremony, where the crowd’s reaction to Trump and his brief appearance during the celebrations became one of the most talked-about moments of the night.
