Argentina defender Cristian Romero appeared to snub US President Donald Trump's handshake during the presentation of runners-up medals after the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium. Spain defeated the defending champions 1-0 in extra time, with Ferran Torres scoring the winner after Argentina's Enzo Fernandez was sent off in the 93rd minute.
Romero's gesture sparks online debate
Tottenham Hotspur defender Romero, 28, was substituted during a disappointing performance but still drew attention after the match. In viral footage, he is seen shaking hands with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who stood on either side of Trump. Romero appeared to look past Trump, who was assisting in distributing medals, without acknowledging him. Whether the gesture was deliberate remains uncertain, but many online commentators interpreted it as a clear snub.
Trump faces hostile crowd at MetLife Stadium
The incident was one of several awkward moments for Trump during the event. Before kick-off, Trump appeared on the giant screens inside MetLife Stadium, and the cheers from the national anthem quickly turned into boos and jeers. Trump arrived via Marine One helicopter and executed a dramatic flyover before the match. Security was extremely tight, with F-16 fighter jets, military marksmen, and thousands of FBI agents deployed, as the fixture was classified as a "Level 1" special event, the highest security designation in the US, typically reserved for presidential inaugurations and State of the Union addresses.
Trump lingers on stage after trophy presentation
After Spain's victory, Trump faced more boos from the crowd as he walked across the turf to present the trophy. He then declined to leave the podium after handing over the World Cup trophy to Spain, instead remaining on stage to shake hands with players and punch the air. Infantino appeared to try to guide Trump away, but he continued to stand to the right of the team as they celebrated, overshadowing Spain's defining moment.
