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By Isabel van Brugen
News Reporter
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Soccer players and fans were baffled after President Donald Trump crashed English club Chelsea's trophy lift at the FIFA Club World Cup final on Sunday.
The president joined the London side on the field as they celebrated a 3-0 victory over France's Paris Saint-Germain at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium.
Trump accompanied FIFA president Gianni Infantino to present the tournament trophy, individual awards, and medals to the runners-up.
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Newsweek has reached out to Chelsea Football Club for comment.
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The Context
It's unclear why the president was front and center for the soccer club's trophy lift. Traditionally the person who presents the trophy hands it to the winning captain then moves away as the skipper lifts the trophy, surrounded by his celebrating team mates.
What To Know
Trump, who was attending the match on the one-year anniversary of the failed assassination attempt against him in Butler, Pennsylvania, was greeted by boos at the stadium as he joined the soccer team for their spotlight moment.
Videos on social media also captured the displeasure of onlookers.
Trump's appearance baffled Chelsea attacking midfielder Cole Palmer, who set up the victory with his team's first two goals against favorites PSG.
"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," he said, according to The Associated Press.
And some fans could not quite believe that Trump was sharing the players' special moment, as captain Reese James lifted the trophy.
"I am crying man how is this a real image," one person reacted on X (formerly Twitter), sharing a photo of Trump grinning beside the team in a post that has been viewed 7 million times.
Trump was joined in the stadium's midfield luxury suite by guests including former NFL legend Tom Brady, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Attorney General Pam Bondi, as well as media tycoon Rupert Murdoch.
What People Are Saying
Post on X viewed nearly 3 million times: "Love him or hate him, this is legendary. After handing Chelsea the Club World Cup trophy, Trump was supposed to leave the podium. He didn't. Instead, he stayed up there celebrating with the players, just soaking in the win like one of the squad. You can't script this."
Another X post, viewed more than one million times, said: "This is going down as the funniest trophy lift ever."
The president told reporters on Sunday: "It was an upset today I guess. But it was a great match."
What Happens Next
MetLife Stadium will also host the 2026 World Cup.
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