 "Boos, confusion, and Trump: Chaos marks Chelsea’s Club World Cup trophy moment. Images: Reuters")
It was yet another eventful day for the United States president, Donald Trump, as he hogged the limelight during the trophy presentation ceremony for Chelsea after winning the FIFA Club World Cup at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday.
Chelsea are the first champions of the newly expanded Club World Cup, which included 32 teams, as they defeated European champions Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the final. While Chelsea played some eye-grabbing high-press football to outsmart one of the best footballing sides in the world, Trump played his own politics on the pitch.
Trump booed at MetLife Stadium
The FIFA World Cup 2026, set to be co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico next year, is drawing attention as football’s global governing body appears to be getting closer to Donald Trump with each passing day. The 45th and 47th US president, Trump, has been seen using the stage to enhance his global stature.
And if that is really your plan, then what could be a better stage than the trophy presentation podium?
Trump’s arrival at the podium was busy as he took his place in the box suite with First Lady Melania Trump during the match before getting onto the pitch as the match ended. He was accompanied by FIFA president Gianni Infantino as the visuals were flashed on the jumbotron, followed by boos from the crowd.
Later, he was on the stage to hand over the awards and medals. Trump handed the young player of the tournament award to PSG’s Désiré Doué, the golden glove to Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez the golden glove and the golden ball for MVP of the match to Cole Palmer, who scored two goals in the match.
Trump stuns Chelsea players with award ceremony move
Following the award presentation, Trump stayed back to join the trophy celebration with Chelsea players, which obviously left a few players confused, including Palmer. Chelsea captain Reece James was also seen asking Trump something before he lifted the Club World Cup trophy.
“Before they told me he was going to present the trophy and then exit the stage,” James later said about Trump joining them during the trophy celebration. “I thought he was going to exit the stage, but he wanted to stay.”
Palmer admitted that it was confusing for him to see Trump on the stage during the trophy celebration. “I knew he was going to be here but I didn’t know he was going to be on the stand when we lifted the trophy,” he said. “I was a bit confused, yeah.”
Trump was eventually pulled away by Infantino, but he achieved what he wanted. Every time the video of Chelsea’s trophy celebration is played out, Trump will be there. And we all know football is the most popular sport in the world.