Trump Takes Center Stage While Spain Lifts World Cup Trophy

US President Donald Trump found himself in the spotlight at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, drawing attention after stepping into Spain’s trophy presentation following the FIFA World Cup final.

Spain secured their second World Cup crown with a dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory over Lionel Messi’s Argentina, sealed by a late goal from forward Ferran Torres.

After the final whistle, Trump walked onto the pitch to a chorus of boos from sections of the crowd before joining FIFA president Gianni Infantino on the presentation stage.

The pair took part in the post-match ceremony, presenting awards to officials and players before Spain’s squad was invited up to receive the World Cup trophy.

Trump then handed the famous trophy to Spain captain Rodri, who proudly lifted it high as the celebrations erupted in East Rutherford.

In scenes reminiscent of his appearance at last summer’s Club World Cup ceremony, Trump remained beside the Spanish players as they hoisted the trophy and celebrated their historic win.

It seemed as though, when Spain were about to perform the trophy lift, Infantino had attempted to usher Trump away from the players – though the President remained. 

He stood to the side of the squad as the confetti cannons went off at MetLife Stadium, clapping and grinning while Infantino laughed off Trump’s awkward cameo.

There were an estimated 1.5-1.8 billion viewers tuning in to watch the summer tournament’s showpiece finale, where Trump and Infantino took center stage once again. 

Loud boos had come from the stands when Infantino and Trump made their way onto the pitch, as fans made their feelings on the duo undoubtedly clear. 

Prior to the official trophy lift, Trump also handed out silver medals to Argentina’s players – including Lionel Messi – after their heartbreaking defeat in New Jersey. 

Fans noted that one Argentina star – Tottenham defender Cristian Romero – completely ignored the President as he collected his medal from Infantino. 

In a video which swiftly went viral on social media, the Argentinian could be seen receiving his silverware from the FIFA chief before waltzing past Trump on stage. 

Meanwhile, Trump also presented a trio of awards to Spain’s stars; including the Young Player of the Tournament, the Golden Glove and the Golden Ball – which were claimed by Pau Cubarsi, Unai Simon and Rodri respectively.

There was a degree of irony in regards to Trump presenting Spain with the World Cup trophy, after previously launching a stinging attack on the country at a UN summit earlier in July for not contributing enough money to NATO. 

‘Spain is a terrible partner in NATO. They don’t participate. They don’t pay. I don’t want anything to do with Spain. Cut off all trade with Spain, please, including visits,’ he said. ‘Don’t even talk to them. They’re hopeless, bad people.’

Then, on his way back to the United States on Air Force One, Trump said Spain had tried to improve their standings with him.

‘I did have issues, and ​I still do. But Spain, they came back all the way today. Spain was very generous today,’ he said.

‘They honoured a request for lots of payments, and if they didn’t, we wouldn’t have even ⁠talked to them.’

Earlier in the day, Trump and his wife Melania were seen taking in the action inside a packed MetLife Stadium suite – alongside FIFA President Infantino, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum.

Trump also shook hands with Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez as Infantino stood beside them.

Spain’s Queen Letizia and King Felipe VI also greeted the president. Javier Milei, the president of Argentina, is watching the game from home due to ‘superstition,’ The New York Times reported. 

The commander-in-chief also waved at the crowd from behind the glass. 

Inside the private suite, Infantino posed for pictures with the president’s son, Eric Trump, his wife, Lara, and their children. Barron Trump also showed up for the big game.

Ahead of the match, Trump told Fox News’ Jenny Taft on the FIFA Red Carpet that ‘it’s hard to bet against Messi,’ speaking of Argentina’s 39-year-old star.

However, in the end, it wasn’t to be for the veteran soccer star after he and Argentina came up short in their battle against European outfit Spain in East Rutherford. 

The match was decided by a ferocious, close-range strike from Spanish star Ferran Torres in the 106th minute, after a 0-0 stalemate at the end of regulation time. 

However, there were ugly scenes once the full-time whistle blew – with a number of frustrated Argentina stars taking out their anger on Spain’s players after their loss.

After the whistle, Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes was sent off for punching Eric Garcia and pushing Gavi to the ground. 

Argentina’s Nahuel Molina also punched Rodri in the torso as he was running by, while Thiago Almada was involved, too. 

Micah Richards said of their behaviour on the BBC: ‘It’s embarrassing. They were on the cusp every single time. 

‘Seeing that sort of stuff after the game was played, it’s not good, it’s embarrassing to be honest. Paredes is better than that. We all know what it’s like to lose a game but this is not good enough.’

Argentina only had two shots in the entire match, and the first of those only came in the 117th minute. 

By contrast, they committed 24 fouls – though Spain didn’t have clean hands themselves, as they gave away 21. 

Elsewhere on the day, World Cup fans branded FIFA’s controversial first-ever World Cup halftime show starring Madonna and Justin Bieber a ‘disaster’ on Sunday.

The futuristic segment began with Madonna, 67, singing her 2000 hit Music, accompanied by giddy Brazilian World Cup legends Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho. 

The toned music legend was dressed head-to-toe in Saint Laurent, wowing in a pink satin teddy jacket and corset, mini shorts and lace-up boots, paired with stockings as she embraced the soccer icons, before they drove her out into the stadium.

The unlikely trio then posed up on the grass and smiled at the crowds. 

Bieber, 32, made a starkly different impact on the crowd as he stepped out with nothing but a guitar to sing a World Cup themed version of his song, Everything Hallelujah.

The singer was bizarrely subbed onto the pitch by Jason Sudeikis, playing his manager alter-ego Ted Lasso. 

The star looked relaxed as he casually walked onto the pitch before belting out his hit track, adding the final line, ‘it’s the World Cup, Hallelujah’ – with fans left baffled by his song choice. 

Shakira returned to the World Cup stage as she flaunted her toned abs in a pink and yellow sequined bodysuit to perform her hit Dai Dai, with Burna Boy, while K-pop sensations BTS regaled the crowd with Dynamite.

As well as a halftime show, the World Cup final also included a closing ceremony that featured performances and appearances from Post Malone, Tom Cruise, Nicole Scherzinger, influencer IShowSpeed, Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, Robbie Williams and Italian singer Laura Pausini.