Borja Iglesias prepared to meet Donald Trump after World Cup final
Borja Iglesias has admitted he will reluctantly shake hands with Donald Trump if Spain win the World Cup on Sunday, despite making no secret of his opposition to the US president’s politics, reports BritPanorama.
Trump is expected to attend the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where defending champions Argentina will attempt to deny Spain a first world title under manager Luis de la Fuente.
As part of the trophy presentation, the US president is likely to meet the victorious squad before handing over football’s most coveted prize. For Iglesias, however, the prospect is one he would rather avoid.
The 33-year-old Celta Vigo striker has built a reputation as one of Spanish football’s most outspoken figures, regularly expressing his views on social and political issues throughout his career. When asked about the possibility of meeting Trump after the final, Iglesias joked that he had little choice but to comply: “I don’t want to go to prison.”
“I hope to greet him at a time when we are all very happy, and that it passes very quickly and I can forget about it,” he added.
Amid discussions about the impending match, Iglesias has maintained that this is not the time to stir controversy, stating, “People know perfectly well what I think.” He expressed a desire for more influence, saying, “I would love to do many things, but the reality is that even if people think I am all-powerful, I don’t have that much power to tackle certain things.”
Iglesias has been vocal in the past, including during the Luis Rubiales scandal following the 2023 Women’s World Cup, where he publicly supported Jenni Hermoso after the former Spanish football federation president kissed her without consent.
Away from controversies, Iglesias has supported pro-Palestinian demonstrations, worn black-painted fingernails in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, and spoken out against homophobia. Despite his high profile, he has played a relatively minor role in Spain’s World Cup campaign, making three substitute appearances so far and amassing just 73 minutes on the field.
As the final approaches, Mikel Oyarzabal is expected to retain his place in the starting lineup against Argentina. The potential for Trump’s involvement adds a layer of complexity to an already charged atmosphere surrounding the event.
Trump has previously found himself at the centre of controversy during the tournament, notably involving US striker Folarin Balogun and a red card incident against Bosnia and Herzegovina. After FIFA intervened, Balogun’s suspension was deferred, allowing him to participate in the critical knockout match against Belgium, a move that drew sharp criticism from UEFA.
With the final due to kick off at 8pm, both Spain and Argentina will be under immense pressure to deliver a historic performance, as the football world watches closely.
As the clock counts down to the match, one can only wonder how the lines of sport and politics will blur once again on one of football’s grandest stages.
