Cristian Romero appeared to snub a handshake with United States President Donald Trump after the World Cup final.
As the leader of a host nation, Trump was on location at MetLife Stadium for Spain’s defeat of Argentina, and handed out the winners’ medals alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Mexico president Claudia Sheinbaum and Mark Carney, prime minister of Canada.
As Tottenham captain Romero walked up to collect his runners-up medal from Infantino, he neglected to acknowledge Trump, breezing by the American premier before shaking hands with Sheinbaum and Carney.
It appears Romero was the only player to avoid shaking hands with the President. Spain’s Borja Iglesias greeted Trump despite being an outspoken critic of his.
Trump, for the most part, has kept the World Cup at arm’s length since off-pitch action kicked off, attending none of the United States’ five matches before they were knocked out in the last-16.
🇦🇷🇪🇸 | Cristian Cuti Romero le negó el saludo a Donald Trump. pic.twitter.com/YKRYFNHU67
— Mundo en Conflicto 🌎 (@MundoEConflicto) July 19, 2026
He did, however, make calls to Infantino before Folarin Balogun’s one-match red card ban was suspended by FIFA, allowing him to play in the round of 16 defeat by Belgium.
After distributing medals, Trump presented Spain captain Rodri with the World Cup trophy, lingering awkwardly on the podium as La Roja got their celebrations underway despite Infantino attempting in vain to usher him away.
Speaking after the final, Trump described this World Cup as the best ever.
“This was one of the greatest events of any kind ever held,” he told reporters. “There has never been anything like it, probably in terms of an event. I thought it was incredible.
“It was four times greater than any FIFA (World Cup ) ever held, and it was probably more like five times, actually, so we are very proud of our country.”
