Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino seemingly mocked US President Donald Trump by performing his infamous fist-pumping dance during the World Cup trophy lift on Sunday evening. The incident occurred as Trump walked across the front of the Spanish players before captain Rodri lifted the trophy.
Merino's Trump Impression
Merino, who came on as a substitute in the 76th minute of Spain's 1-0 victory over Argentina, caught Trump's eye and copied the president's signature dance routine. He then spun around and threw his arms skywards, symbolically lifting the trophy alongside Rodri.
The moment was captured on camera and quickly went viral on social media. One fan responded on X: "Please don't Merino. I like you." Another posted: "Merino hitting the Trump dance it's never been more over for me."
Reactions to the Dance
Many viewers interpreted the dance as a deliberate mockery. One wrote: "It kills me that Merino mocked Trump right to his face that man couldn't represent me any more." Another said: "Merino mocked Trump with his dance right in his face." A third posted: "Mikel Merino doing the Trump dance right next to him is historic. Brutal hahahahahahaha."
Merino has scored 12 goals in 51 appearances for Spain. The 30-year-old began his career at Osasuna's academy and played for Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle before establishing himself at Real Sociedad. He joined Arsenal in 2024 and has featured in various roles under Mikel Arteta.
Trump's Protocol Breach
Trump's appearance during the trophy lift broke World Cup protocol, and not all Spanish players were pleased. Striker Borja Iglesias, who was an unused substitute, had earlier told reporters he planned to shake Trump's hand after the match because he didn't "want to go to prison."
Iglesias is known for his outspoken political views, including support for Palestine and criticism of racism and homophobia. He was also a fierce critic of former Spanish women's football boss Luis Rubiales over his behavior following the 2023 World Cup final. "People already know my opinions, and I would love to do many things, but the reality is that, although people think I'm all-powerful, I don't have that much power to confront certain things. It's complicated, really," Iglesias stated before the final. "It's something I've thought about, something I've even imagined. I hope to greet him when we're all very happy and that it's all over very quickly so I can forget about it."
