In a moment of staggering self-aggrandisement that has left the football world bewildered, former US President Donald Trump was caught on camera bizarrely claiming he would keep the iconic FIFA World Cup trophy after it was presented to him.
The video, obtained by The Independent, shows Mr. Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate being shown what appears to be a replica of the solid gold trophy by the president of FIFA's governing body in South America. With palpable confusion, the former president appears to believe the presentation is a genuine honour bestowed upon him personally.
"That's quite something," Trump remarks in the footage, before adding the astonishing claim, "We're going to have to keep that."
The individual presenting the item quickly interjects, clarifying in Spanish that the trophy "is for the World Cup" and is merely being shown to him, not gifted. This crucial detail seems to be entirely lost on the former president, who continues to beam alongside the prized footballing artefact.
This cringe-inducing exchange is poised to ignite fury amongst football purists and fans across the globe. The actual FIFA World Cup trophy is arguably the most coveted prize in all of sports, awarded only to the winning nation every four years. It is never owned by an individual, with winners receiving a bronze-gilded replica instead.
The incident raises serious questions about Trump's understanding of international diplomatic protocols and sporting prestige. His apparent belief that a head of state could simply "keep" such a symbol of global sporting achievement underscores a recurring theme of self-importance that has long characterised his public life.
This is not the first time Trump has found himself at odds with the football community. His previous comments criticising athletes for kneeling during the national anthem and his administration's challenging relationship with international sporting bodies have often placed him at the centre of sports-related controversies.
