Ferran Torres sports controversial cap during victory parade
Spain’s World Cup winning goalscorer Ferran Torres wore a “Make Spain Great Again” cap during the team’s victory parade in Madrid, reports BritPanorama.
The cap, reflecting the red hue associated with Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign merchandise, was prominently displayed as Torres and his teammates celebrated on an open-top bus on Monday. The White House’s official X account quickly reacted, stating that “everyone wants in on the movement.”
The phrase “Make America Great Again” was initially used during Ronald Reagan’s presidential campaign in 1980 before being repurposed by Trump more than three decades later. It has since been abbreviated to “MAGA,” becoming synonymous with Trump’s political base.
Torres earned his place in the spotlight by scoring the decisive goal that led to a 1-0 victory over Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New York during the final. After the match, an emotional Torres remarked, “I think in the end, the goal belongs to 47 million people, not to me.”
Just hours after securing their title, La Roja flew back to Madrid, arriving at Barajas Airport by 2:30 PM local time. Torres’ cap was not the only attention-grabbing moment; teammate Lamine Yamal held up a sign mocking Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes following a contentious match that featured aggressive exchanges.
Paredes was involved in a physical confrontation after the final whistle, grabbing Eric Garcia and pushing Gavi, leading to a chaotic scene on the pitch. Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez, who was sent off for a dangerous tackle, defended his team’s conduct, claiming they represented their country in the “best way possible.” However, the team’s post-match behaviour has faced widespread criticism.
Rather than indulging in celebrations in New York, Spain’s squad returned to their homeland promptly. Golden Ball recipient Rodri led his teammates in songs during the bus ride back to their hotel before heading to Newark Airport. After an audience with King Felipe, they proceeded to parade through Madrid, culminating at Plaza de Cibeles.
The episode illustrates how sporting victory can intertwine with political symbols, a reminder of the sometimes contentious intersections in today’s global landscape.
