Joan Capdevila appeals to Donald Trump after ESTA denial
Joan Capdevila, who played a pivotal role in Spain’s historic World Cup victory in 2010, has made a public appeal to former President Donald Trump following the rejection of his ESTA application, preventing him from traveling to watch Spain play Argentina in the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, reports BritPanorama.
The 48-year-old former defender expressed his frustration on social media, stating, “I NEED HELP @realDonaldTrump!” He revealed he was unable to attend the match with his children due to the ESTA denial.
This situation escalated as Capdevila also reached out to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Spain’s sports ministry for assistance, reflecting the urgency of his plea. Capdevila has significant emotional stakes in this match, as he was looking forward to reuniting with his World Cup-winning teammates.
Recalling his anticipation for the event, Capdevila stated, “Can anyone help me with this? You have no idea how excited I was to be there with all my 2010 team-mates and this team to cheer them on.” He described the disappointment of missing such a cherished moment, particularly given his children’s love of the sport.
In an interview with Spanish radio station COPE, he clarified that the rejection belonged to a previous visit to Iran for a La Liga legends match in 2016, which has now complicated his travel to the US. “I can’t believe they’re not letting me into the USA… and that I’ll miss a moment like this with my kids who love soccer so much,” he remarked.
Capdevila elaborated on the background of his travel complications, noting, “I was there 10 years ago, in 2016, playing a LaLiga match in Iran, and apparently if you’ve been to Iran, you can’t enter the United States.” His assertion of being a “normal citizen” paying taxes and wishing to attend a sporting event underlines the personal aspect of this issue.
Capdevila’s situation is not unprecedented in this World Cup; instances of denied entry have also affected Somalian referee Omar Artan and Iranian federation officials, pointing to broader visa complications surrounding the tournament. Prior to kickoff, Trump had issued statements assuring that the US was working to allow “the right people” to enter the country.
As the final unfolds today, the outcome of Capdevila’s request remains uncertain, overshadowed by the excitement surrounding the match, which may mark Lionel Messi’s final major tournament appearance.
In the unpredictable world of football, it serves as a reminder of how borders can affect even the most passionate of fans, as the drama continues both on and off the pitch.
