Joan Capdevila, a Spanish football legend who won the 2010 World Cup, has publicly appealed to US President Donald Trump after being denied entry to the United States. The former Deportivo La Coruña and Villarreal star says he was barred because he played a match in Iran over ten years ago.
Denied at the Border
Capdevila had planned to attend the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina on July 19 in New York, but was shocked when his ESTA application was rejected. He took to social media to plead for help, writing: "I NEED HELP @realDonaldTrump! They just told me that I can't travel to the final with my kids because my ESTA has been denied."
Speaking to Spanish radio show El Partidazo de COPE, Capdevila explained that the denial stems from a La Liga legends match he played in Tehran in 2016. "I was there 10 years ago, in 2016, playing a LaLiga match, a regular match in Iran, and apparently if you've been to Iran, you can't enter the United States," he said.
Impact on Family and Career
The 48-year-old, who also played for Villarreal and Deportivo, expressed his frustration at being unable to share the experience with his children. "I'm a normal citizen of the world, I pay my taxes, I pay for everything, and it turns out I can't go with my family to see a sporting event I'm really looking forward to. I don't understand it. I was really looking forward to experiencing it with my children, that's all."
Other Spanish legends who took part in the 2016 match include Fernando Morientes, Marcos Senna, and Luis García. Despite efforts by the Spanish Football Federation and FIFA to resolve the issue, US authorities upheld the denial.
Broader Visa Issues
Capdevila's case is not isolated. Before the World Cup, President Trump stated that the US was working to ensure "the right people" could enter. Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry for training, and several Iranian officials also had visas refused. It remains unclear whether the Trump administration is reviewing Capdevila's appeal.
The final between Spain and Argentina is highly anticipated, potentially marking Lionel Messi's last appearance in a major tournament.
