Boos fail to deter Donald Trump from taking center stage at Club World Cup
East Rutherford, NEW JERSEY: Chelsea FC delivered a commanding 3-0 victory against Paris Saint-Germain in the inaugural Club World Cup final on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The win marked a significant achievement for the English club, highlighted by a standout performance from 23-year-old midfielder Cole Palmer, who scored twice and was awarded the tournament’s Golden Ball as the best player.
Palmer’s first-half brace came from two precise left-footed finishes inside the penalty area in the 22nd and 30th minutes. He also assisted João Pedro’s third goal just before halftime, threading a through ball that was expertly chipped over PSG’s goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca praised his team’s early dominance, saying, “I think we won the game in the first 10 minutes.”
The victory celebration, however, was unexpectedly punctuated by the presence of President Donald Trump on the awards podium. Trump, dressed in a bright red tie, stood beside Chelsea captain Reece James and Palmer as they lifted the trophy, a move that surprised both players.
Palmer admitted, “I knew he was going to be here, but I didn’t know he was going to be on the stand when we lifted the trophy, so I was a bit confused.”
James added, “He just congratulated me and the team for lifting the trophy and told us to enjoy the moment.”
Trump’s appearance drew widespread boos from the packed stadium, particularly during the national anthem and the trophy presentation alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Despite the mixed reception, Trump remained at the forefront as Chelsea celebrated their historic triumph.
Palmer, meanwhile, has recently gained wider recognition, featuring in a Nike advertising campaign alongside global stars Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, and Vinícius Júnior, including billboards in Times Square and outside Madison Square Garden. Reflecting on his rising profile, Palmer said, “It’s a nice feeling to be obviously alongside them type of players.”