Cole Palmer’s standout performance at the Club World Cup final not only secured Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain but also placed him at the center of an unusual post-match spectacle involving U.S. President Donald Trump. The 23-year-old midfielder dazzled fans and critics alike on July 13, 2025, at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, scoring twice and assisting Joao Pedro’s goal to earn the match’s Most Valuable Player award.
Palmer’s brilliance on the pitch was matched by the off-field buzz when Trump, who was in attendance, personally presented him with the MVP trophy. However, the presentation came with a twist. Trump remained prominently positioned on stage during the trophy lift, an unexpected move that left Chelsea skipper Reece James and many spectators puzzled. James later remarked on the interaction, saying, “To be honest, it was quite loud. I couldn't hear too much. He just congratulated me and the team for lifting the trophy and told us to enjoy the moment.”
Palmer himself admitted to feeling a bit bewildered by Trump’s presence at the ceremony. “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,” he explained. “I was a bit confused, yeah.” The midfielder shed further light on his brief exchange with the former U.S. president in an exclusive interview with the Mail. “When he gave me the award, he said his son is my biggest fan,” Palmer revealed. “I can't remember what I said. I think I said, ‘Thank you’ or something.”
Currently enjoying a holiday in Saint Kitts and Nevis, Palmer emphasized the importance of connecting with his family roots. “It’s important to come back to where your family is from,” he said. “It’s nice to see how they grew up and their culture compared to ours… we were in America (for the Club World Cup) and it's close. So, we thought we'd just come over and see everything.”
Meanwhile, the trophy ceremony itself carried an intriguing backstory. Chelsea lifted an imitation Club World Cup trophy on the day, as the original trophy’s permanent home is actually the Oval Office. Trump revealed this detail in a pre-final interview with DAZN, explaining, “They said, ‘Could you hold this trophy for a little while?’ We put it in the Oval Office. Then I said, ‘When are you going to pick up the trophy?’ He says, ‘We're never going to pick it up. You can have it forever in the Oval Office. We're making a new one.’”
He added with a hint of amusement, “And they actually made a new one. So that was quite exciting. It’s in the Oval right now.” This revelation clarified the confusion that arose when Trump joined Chelsea players on stage for the trophy lift, as the team was not presented with the original trophy but rather the newly made replica.
Trump also injected some lightheartedness into the event by joking about the naming of the sport in the United States. When asked about the difference between “soccer” and “football,” he quipped he could change the name by executive order. “They would call it football, but I guess we call it soccer,” Trump said. When the interviewer suggested he write an executive order to insist the sport be called football, he responded, “I think we could do that. I think I could do that.”
Beyond the ceremony and playful banter, Trump reflected on the broader significance of the sport during a post-match interview with DAZN. “The game is about unity, it is about everyone getting together,” he said. “It is about a lot of love between different international countries. This is the most international sport on the planet, so it can really bring the world together.”
With the 2026 World Cup set to be hosted across North America, Trump’s presence at the Club World Cup final hints at his continued involvement in promoting the sport in the region. His attendance and comments demonstrate a keen interest in soccer’s growth and its potential to unite diverse communities.
Chelsea’s dominant 3-0 win over PSG was a statement of intent from the Blues as they continue to assert their dominance on the global stage. Palmer’s performance, crowned by the MVP award, highlighted a rising star in the squad, while the trophy ceremony added a memorable and somewhat surreal chapter to the club’s history.
As Chelsea return home with the replica trophy and Palmer enjoys time with family, the football world looks ahead to the upcoming World Cup and the potential for even greater moments of unity and excitement in the sport.