Barcelona forward Ferran Torres found himself at the centre of an unexpected political storm following Spain’s historic 2026 World Cup victory. During the celebratory parade in Madrid, Torres was seen wearing a red cap emblazoned with the slogan ‘Make Spain Great Again’, a phrase that quickly drew international attention and sparked controversy.
Torres, who scored the decisive extra-time goal against Lionel Messi’s Argentina in the final on July 19, was celebrating Spain’s first-ever World Cup title. The images and videos of him in the cap quickly circulated, prompting a reaction from the White House and a comment from US President Donald Trump.
Political reaction to the cap
The White House tweeted a reaction to the images, stating, “Everyone wants in on the movement.” US President Donald Trump also weighed in on the incident, interpreting the gesture as a tribute. “He is a great player,” Trump said. “He was wearing essentially a ‘Make America Great Again’ cap, so it was a nice tribute. And I think he meant that very nicely, we appreciate it.”
The slogan, a clear reference to the ‘Make America Great Again’ movement associated with Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, led to immediate backlash online, with many questioning the political implications of Torres’s choice of headwear.
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Torres clarifies his intentions
Speaking in an interview with CNN, Torres sought to clarify his actions, insisting that his choice of hat was entirely apolitical. “It was just to have fun with my friends and family, and it had nothing to do with politics,” Torres explained. “Honestly, I don’t know anything about politics. It was only about being able to see Spain back on top again, winning the World Cup.”
Despite his explanation, public reaction on platforms like X indicated that many were not convinced. One person commented, “You can’t wear a ‘Make (whatever) Great Again’ hat and pretend it has nothing to do with politics,” while another added, “It wasn’t funny, knucklehead. You’re oblivious to what’s going on. Continue to play soccer and focus on one thing.”
Torres’s goal in the final was his only strike of the tournament, having not scored in Spain’s seven previous matches. His crucial strike secured a momentous victory for a Spanish side that conceded just one goal in eight games throughout the tournament in North America.
Beyond the World Cup celebrations, Torres’s club future remains a topic of discussion. The Barcelona forward, who has a contract with the Catalan club, is currently being linked with various teams, including Paris Saint-Germain. “I have a contract with Barcelona but in football, you never know,” Torres told TODAY. “I’m just waiting to make the right decision.”
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