Spain striker reveals what he’ll do when he faces Trump after World Cup final

Spain striker Borja Iglesias has revealed that he will reluctantly shake Donald Trump’s hand if he meets the United States president during Sunday’s World Cup trophy presentation.

Trump is expected to attend the final between Spain and defending champions Argentina at the New York New Jersey Stadium and present the trophy to the winners.

The possibility of encountering the US president has left Iglesias uncomfortable, but the 33-year-old said he would avoid creating a scene.

“I don’t want to go to prison,” Iglesias told a local magazine.

“I hope to greet him at a time when we are all very happy, and that it passes very quickly and I can forget about it.

“I don’t think this is the time to create controversy. People know perfectly well what I think.

“I would love to do many things, but the reality is that even if people think I am all-powerful, I don’t have that much power to tackle certain things.”

Iglesias, who plays for Celta Vigo, has frequently expressed his political and social views publicly.

He spoke out during the controversy involving former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales, who was convicted of sexual assault for forcibly kissing Jenni Hermoso following Spain’s victory in the 2023 Women’s World Cup final.

The striker has also supported pro-Palestinian protesters, painted his fingernails black in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and repeatedly spoken against homophobia.

Iglesias scored 18 goals for Celta Vigo last season but has played only 73 minutes across three appearances at the World Cup.

He is expected to remain a substitute against Argentina, with Mikel Oyarzabal leading Spain’s attack.

Trump had earlier caused controversy at the tournament by contacting FIFA president Gianni Infantino over the suspension of United States striker Folarin Balogun.

Balogun was sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina and was expected to miss the Round of 16 encounter with Belgium before FIFA suspended his one-match ban for a year.

UEFA condemned the decision as “unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable.”