Cristian Romero drew widespread notice following Argentina’s gutting loss to Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, seemingly declining to shake hands with US President Donald Trump during the medal ceremony that followed the match.
Argentina’s bid to retain their world crown ended when Ferran Torres netted a late 106th-minute extra-time strike, giving Spain a 1-0 win at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey and handing La Roja their second World Cup crown, adding to their breakthrough win back in 2010.
Romero partnered Lisandro Martinez at the back for Argentina but was substituted in the 70th minute due to what looked like an injury. Martinez had already been forced off before the break with a knock of his own, leaving Argentina’s defense thin for the remainder of the match.
Though he’d already left the field, Romero still became a focal point during the medal ceremony. While collecting his runner-up medal, the Tottenham defender shook hands with FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum, but appeared to walk straight past Trump without any acknowledgment.
Trump helped hand out medals to both finalist squads as well as individual award winners. It marked a similar scene to last summer’s Club World Cup final held at the same venue, when he stood alongside Chelsea skipper Reece James during the trophy lift, a moment that sparked plenty of debate at the time.
After Spain sealed the win, Trump also moved close to the celebrating champions as they got ready to lift the trophy, prompting Infantino to appear to steer him away from the middle of the festivities.
Reaction to Trump’s presence throughout the ceremony was mixed among fans in attendance, with boos and whistling audible across MetLith Stadium as he walked onto the pitch beside Infantino. He was also spotted exchanging greetings with various dignitaries, among them Yasir Al-Rumayyan, governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Newcastle United’s chairman.
Romero, part of the squad that won it all in Qatar four years prior, couldn’t help Argentina replicate that success this time, as Scaloni’s men came up just short against a tough Spanish outfit.
