FIFA president Gianni Infantino was seen steering United States (US) president Donald Trump away from Spain’s players as they lifted the World Cup trophy at MetLife Stadium on Sunday night, after Trump moved to the edge of the celebrating group to stay in frame.
The moment came at the end of a night filled with boos for the US president. He watched the match from a suite alongside Infantino, sitting behind bullet-proof glass with First Lady Melania Trump and their son Barron.
Fans jeered him when he appeared on the stadium’s big screen during Jennifer Hudson’s rendition of the national anthem before kickoff.
After the final whistle, Trump walked onto the pitch with Infantino to loud jeers and whistles from the crowd. He shook hands with several guests on the field, including Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and chairman of Newcastle United.
The moment sparked a wave of reactions online. One user wrote, “He didn’t leave the stage until he got photographed with Spain lifting the trophy.🏆😂 Just like he did when Chelsea was lifting the trophy 😂”
Another user wrote, “They tried to walk Trump off stage but he didn’t leave LMAO.”
One user asked, “why he acting like spain manager”
Another user wrote, “Bro wants to be with the winning team so he can feel good about himself lmao”
Trump handed out medals to players and match officials during the presentation, including a runners-up medal for Argentina’s Lionel Messi. He then presented the trophy to Spain captain Rodri.
As Spain’s players gathered on a special stage to celebrate, Trump moved toward the edge of the group to stay in the photo during the trophy lift. Infantino then stepped in, jogging over from the other side of the podium, appearing to steer him away from the players so that the team could celebrate on their own.
Spain won the match thanks to Ferran Torres, who scored in the 106th minute off a knock-down from Nico Williams, settling a tense final that went to extra-time. Argentina finished the game with ten men after Enzo Fernandez was sent off, and defender Leandro Paredes was shown a red card at full-time following an incident involving Eric Garcia, with reports of punches thrown between players.
Sunday’s reaction was not the first time Trump has been booed at MetLife Stadium.
He faced similar jeers last year when he presented Chelsea with the Club World Cup trophy after their win over Paris Saint-Germain at the same venue.
