Player appears to snub Donald Trump at World Cup ceremony
Translated from Romanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Argentinian defender Cristian Romero appeared to ignore Donald Trump's outstretched hand during the 2026 World Cup medal ceremony.
- The incident occurred after Romero shook hands with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
- Similar instances involving other Argentinian players were also noted, and Trump's presence at the ceremony drew some boos from the crowd.
A moment during the 2026 World Cup medal ceremony has sparked significant online discussion after Argentinian defender Cristian Romero seemingly bypassed an outstretched hand from U.S. President Donald Trump.
The incident occurred as Argentinian players received their silver medals following their loss to Spain in the final. Video footage shows Romero shaking hands with FIFA President Gianni Infantino before walking past Trump without acknowledging him. The clip quickly went viral on social media, with many interpreting Romero's action as a deliberate snub.
However, the exact intention behind Romero's gesture remains unclear. It is difficult to definitively determine from the video whether he intentionally avoided Trump or if the moment was a result of the ceremony's fast pace and crowded conditions. Romero has not yet publicly commented on the incident.
The images were quickly distributed on social media and provoked numerous reactions, some users interpreting the scene as a deliberate refusal by the Argentinian defender.
Romero was not the only Argentinian player noted for potentially avoiding a handshake with Trump. Lisandro Martรญnez was also seen moving past the U.S. president during the ceremony without shaking his hand.
Trump's presence on the podium during the trophy presentation also drew attention. He remained on stage for a few moments alongside the Spanish team after they received the trophy, a scene reminiscent of the 2025 Club World Cup final. Additionally, Trump and Infantino were reportedly met with some boos from the crowd upon their entrance for the post-match ceremony.
From the recording, it cannot be definitively established whether Romero intentionally sought to avoid the President of the United States or if the moment was caused by the crowd and the rapid pace of the ceremony.
Originally published by Adevฤrul in Romanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.