Cucurella Recalls Fear of Trump During Club World Cup Final Ceremony: “I Didn’t Want to Leave”
Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella revealed that he and his teammates were caught off guard by U.S. President Donald Trump’s unexpected presence on the podium during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium.
Trump, who attended the award ceremony alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Chelsea owner Todd Boehly, and PSG director Nasser Al-Khelaifi, reportedly ignored FIFA protocol by remaining on the stage during the trophy presentation a move that left Chelsea players confused and uneasy.
“They told us we could only lift the trophy after he left,” Cucurella said on the JijantesFC podcast. “But he stayed and said, ‘You can lift it, I’ll stay here.’ No one had the courage to contradict him. I was terrified.”
Unusual Scenes at the Trophy Presentation
Traditionally, head-of-state presence during FIFA events is kept ceremonial and brief. However, Trump not only stayed on stage but also participated in the medal ceremony, and reportedly kept a medal as a souvenir.
Cucurella recounted the moment as “tense but surreal,” emphasizing that the players were unsure whether lifting the trophy with the president still present would be seen as a breach of protocol.
Chelsea Crowned World Champions After Dominant Victory
Despite the off-field distraction, Chelsea delivered a commanding performance on the pitch, defeating Paris Saint-Germain 3–0. Rising star Cole Palmer scored twice and assisted João Pedro for the third goal, sealing Chelsea’s second Club World Cup title.
The team returned to London to celebrate at Stamford Bridge, where the trophy was paraded before fans. On social media, the club cheekily captioned the celebration: “The home of London trophies.”
Trump’s Presence Sparks Debate
The moment sparked debate among football fans and pundits, with some criticizing Trump for breaking protocol, while others praised the spectacle and global attention it brought to the event.
So far, neither FIFA nor the White House has issued an official statement addressing the deviation from established ceremony rules.
