The behavior of Argentina's defender Cristian Romero sparked controversy after Argentina's loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, when he ignored shaking hands with US President Donald Trump during the medal ceremony.
As the Argentine players ascended the podium to receive their runners-up medals, footage showed Romero shaking hands with FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, but he walked past Trump without stopping or extending his hand to shake hands, raising questions about whether the action was deliberate or just a passing remark.
The footage spread very quickly, and reactions were divided between fans who believed that the player wanted to send a political message, and others who saw it as nothing more than a spontaneous moment amidst the atmosphere of the coronation and the great pressure after losing the final
Romero was not the only one at the center of controversy at the closing ceremony, as Trump’s presence in the official photo with the Spanish national team, the world champions, sparked widespread debate, after reports indicated that Spain’s captain, Rodri, had asked Infantino to limit the photo to the players and coaching staff only.
Trump attended the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where he participated in the awards ceremony, amid an atmosphere of great interaction from the fans inside the stadium.
While the Spanish national team celebrated its second world title, Romero's photo with Trump remained one of the most talked-about scenes of the final outside the green rectangle, reopening the debate about the overlap of sports and politics in the biggest global football event.
