Cole Palmer surprised, Reece James pauses as Donald Trump awkwardly shares FIFA Club World Cup spotlight with Chelsea

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The reaction of star forward Cole Palmer to Trump's presence that has gone viral the most on social media. (AP Photo)

Chelsea won the FIFA Club World Cup by thrashing reigning European champions Paris St Germain 3-0 and captain Reece James did the customary trophy lift. But before that, he stopped for a second and looked to his left, for US President Donald Trump was still standing right amid the Chelsea players instead of walking off the dias, as is the norm, after handing over the trophy to James.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Trump had handed over the trophy to James and while the former walked off the dais, Trump stayed on. James did the trophy lift and the players celebrated around Trump after that aforementioned pause. Infantino then walked back into the huddle and seemed to be sheepishly ushering Trump to the back of the crowd of Chelsea players.

It is the reaction of star forward Cole Palmer that has gone viral the most on social media. While James stopped before lifting the trophy, Palmer seemed visibly puzzled at Trump standing on the dias. He too broke into celebrations once James lifted the trophy though.

Palmer: ‘What’s he doing’ 😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/POY1iWN9N1

— ًًً (@Marescaholic) July 13, 2025

📸PHOTO DUMP: President Donald J. Trump at the FIFA Club World Cup Final 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/7lhrlP2mFQ

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 14, 2025

Palmer later said that he didn’t know the US President was going to stay on for the trophy-lift as well. “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,” Palmer told reporters.

Palmer received the Golden Ball as top player of the tournament after scoring the first two goals in Chelsea’s 3-0 smothering of Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday night. Trump — wearing a bright red tie — appeared to leave the award stand with a medal of his own, handed to him by FIFA President Gianni Infantino right after the medallion presented to James.

Chelsea went ahead after Sánchez kicked the ball downfield and Nuno Mendes mis-hit his header 15 yards past the midfield stripe toward his own goal. Malo Gusto’s shot was blocked by Lucas Beraldo and rebounded to Palmer, who ended PSG’s streak of 436 minutes without conceding.

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