Gianni Infantino’s stunned comment to Donald Trump refusing to leave WC stage | Football | Sport
A professional lip reader spotted FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s perplexed four-word quesiton to US President Donald Trump after he seemingly refused to leave the stage at the World Cup final. Spain had just beaten Argentina to win their second World Cup. After some shocking scenes, where several Argentina players seemed to lash out at their rivals, the trophy lift took place.
Trump and Infantino jointly handed Spain’s captain Rodri the trophy for the iconic moment but then things got awkward. Just as he did in last year’s Club World Cup, Trump seemingly refused to leave the stage for the actual lift. Lip reader Jeremy Freeman said he noticed what Trump said to Spain’s captain Rodri and what Infantino said to Trump during the bizarre scenes.
Mr Freeman told Reach that, as he handed Spain’s captain the trophy, he said: “Very good, well done, well done.”
Trump then hovered awkwardly at the side of the stage, even though it was clear he was meant to have stepped off. Infantino rushed over and, according to Jeremy, leaned into the President’s ear and said: “Ha ha ha ha, you stay with them?!”
Mr Freeman’s comments about what Infantino and Trump said to each other and Spain’s players comes as they pair received huge criticism for being so close to the celebrations.
A similar controversy happened last year when Chelsea beat Paris Saint-German in the Club World Cup and Trump also became reluctant to leave the celebration stage.
As well as drama on the pitch, including a red card for Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez in the 93rd minute, there has been political drama throughout the tournament that has involved Trump and the USA’s own football team.
Trump sparked a global scandal when he seemingly admitted to pressuring Infantino’s FIFA to overturn the red card of American player Folarin Balogun before their game against Belgium, which they eventually lost.
After it was overturned Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social: “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice.”
Controversy and protests could continue at the final match as videos posted on X show Trump being booed before the final.
Then, after the final whistle had gone, one of Argentina’s players seemed to engage in their own form of protest. Footage from the medal ceremony at the end of the match appeared to show Argentinian player Cristian Romero, subbed off during the tense game, refusing to shake Trump’s hand.
Romero could be seen shaking the hand of Infantino and Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum, who stood either side of Trump, but ignoring the US leader.
