Donald Trump appears to have failed in his attempt to steal the spotlight from the new World Cup champions.
The 80-year-old president did his best to share in the glory after Spain defeated Argentina in Sunday’s final at New Jersey’s Metlife Stadium, refusing to leave the stage after presenting the trophy to Spanish team captain Rodri.
In the end he was ushered away by FIFA boss Gianni Infantino and his photobombing attempts came to nothing as he was brutally edited out of pictures and clips from the celebrations.
Following the awkward scene, Spain’s official national team account shared photos and videos of the trophy lift—but did their best to avoid showing Trump. Several posts used tight crops that focused only on the players, including one video that zoomed in on the squad to keep him out of frame.
In the only post where Trump is visible, he is seen from behind as he is being escorted away from the stage.
The official FIFA account also posted a picture of Spain’s trophy lift that cropped the president out.
It’s not the first time Trump has tried to steal the spotlight at a soccer game.
Trump shamelessly joined in as Chelsea players celebrated their victory over Paris Saint-Germain in last year Club World Cup final, which was also held at the MetLife Stadium.
This time, the players were ready for him, closing ranks to prevent him forcing himself into the action.
Trump watched Sunday’s match from a VIP box alongside an international lineup of political figures and members of his administration, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
But his presence was not welcomed by fans.
Trump and Infantino were greeted by a wave of boos as they walked onto the field before the opening ceremony.
Trump was also booed as he appeared on the screen just after Jennifer Hudson performed the National Anthem, before the view of the president was quickly swapped with an aerial shot of the stadium.
