Updated 11:16, 20 Jul 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/div>\n
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\nDonald Trump made his inevitable appearance as Spain lifted the World Cup trophy(Image: Getty)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/p>\n
World Cup winner Marc Cucurella has previously admitted he was “scared s***less” of Donald Trump during trophy celebrations with Chelsea. The US president was front and centre after the World Cup final, handing out silverware.<\/p>\n
Cucurella, who joined Real Madrid this summer, played a key role in Spain’s run to Sunday’s final, conceding just one goal all tournament. Argentina were unable to break them down in the showpiece too and Luis de la Fuente’s side were crowned world champions for only the second time.<\/p>\n
However, a lot was made of the production surrounding the match, including a lengthy closing show that delayed kick-off and a half-time performance from a handful of globally recognised artists, which meant the interval lasted almost half an hour. The post-match pleasantries were impacted, with President Trump handing out medals to both Argentina and Spain’s players.<\/p>\n
Trump also lingered after handing the trophy over to Spanish skipper Rodri, and he awkwardly stood on stage next to it as it was being lifted. This incident drew comparison to the 2025 Club World Cup final, after which Cucurella, who has now had two run-ins with Trump, admitted he was scared of the 80-year-old.<\/p>\n
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football’s Facebook page<\/strong><\/p>\nLast summer, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain clashed at MetLife Stadium, renamed New York\/New Jersey Stadium for the World Cup in North America.<\/p>\n
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\nTrump lingered amongst the Chelsea players(Image: Getty)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
In a shock result, the Blues dismantled the reigning European champions 3-0 courtesy of a Cole Palmer brace and a decisive strike from Joao Pedro, claiming the Club World Cup title.<\/p>\n
During the post-match presentation, Trump distributed the winners’ medals and trophy, just as he has done at the World Cup final. Yet he lingered amongst the players as they lifted the trophy, leaving stars such as Cole Palmer visibly perplexed.<\/p>\n
Spain’s Cucurella was among the Chelsea players baffled by Trump’s decision to remain right beside captain Reece James as he hoisted the Club World Cup trophy aloft.<\/p>\n
The left-back said: “We had been told that, as a rule, Donald Trump would come to present us with the trophy and that we couldn’t lift it until he left.<\/p>\n
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\nThe president was positioned to the side of the celebrations on Sunday(Image: Getty)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
“We were all there waiting for him to leave – but the guy didn’t want to leave – and on top of that, we looked at him and he said, ‘Lift it up, I’ll stay here’, and so on. I wondered who would say anything to him, you know… I was scared s***less.”<\/p>\n
The situation played out somewhat differently for Spain following their second world title triumph, as Trump was ultimately guided to the edge of the trophy presentation.<\/p>\n
Infantino was compelled to dash across the stage to direct him to relocate, though Trump remained on the podium as Spain’s captain Rodri hoisted the trophy.<\/p>\n
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