Boos Follow Trump as He Lingers on World Cup Podium During Spain's Trophy Moment

After getting heavily booed by fans, alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino, President Donald Trump yet again tried to make an important sporting event all about himself. Following the post-game medal ceremony at MetLife Stadium, Trump handed the World Cup trophy to Spain's captain, Rodri, after their victory over reigning champions Argentina. While he was expected to step aside and let the team celebrate, he chose to awkwardly linger on the stage to become a part of the winning team's celebration shot. 

On Sunday, Spain secured a narrow 1-0 victory over 10-man Argentina in the World Cup Final. Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal as the UEFA European champions claimed World Cup glory as Lionel Messi's team struggled to score.  Ahead of the trophy ceremony, Trump strode onto the pitch alongside Infantino and was met with boos once again from the watching crowd, who had already made their feelings clear to the president during the national anthems.

Once all the fanfare had wrapped up, Trump presented the iconic trophy to Spain and captain Rodri, but just as he had done a year earlier during the Club World Cup Final, the president chose to linger, rather than allowing the captain and his teammates their moment. He awkwardly shuffled across the stage, shaking hands with players, and took his position at the corner of the podium. As the situation turned worse, Infantino had to run across the stage to guide the 80-year-old out of the frame and allow the Spanish players to celebrate on their own. Still, the president stubbornly loitered, but undeterred, Rodri and his team lifted the trophy.

Before the match, Trump appeared on the video board twice, immediately before and after the U.S. national anthem. He was later shown in the suite getting a chance to touch the World Cup trophy during the first half of the match, and was booed by the fans as he appeared alongside Infantino. The reactions came after Trump spent the last several months berating Spain over its anemic military spending and refusal to allow American forces to use Spanish bases for its military operation in Iran. Earlier this month, he called the country “hopeless,” derided the Spanish as “bad people” and briefly threatened to cut off all trade. Before the World Cup match, he declined to pick a side in the final but said it would be difficult to beat the Argentine superstar Messi. 

For the White House, the thrilling final was the culmination of a year and a half's work, navigating logistical challenges alongside co-hosts Canada and Mexico for what turned out to be one of the most-watched World Cups in history. “It turned out we were a soccer country, and I think it’s going to remain,” Trump said Friday at a FIFA reception at Trump Tower in New York City, the Associated Press reported. “This has really brought the world together," he added.