Donald Trump has moved to defuse controversy over Ferran Torres’ “Make Spain Great Again” cap, describing the Spain forward’s choice of headwear during the 2026 World Cup celebrations as a “beautiful tribute” to his MAGA slogan rather than an attempt to mock him.
Torres, who scored the extra-time winner in Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina in the World Cup final, was pictured at the title celebrations in Madrid wearing a red cap emblazoned with the words “Make Spain Great Again” in English – an unmistakable play on Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign slogan.
The image of the Barcelona player quickly sparked a fierce debate in Spain, with politicians and supporters split over whether the cap amounted to a political message, a show of sympathy with the right, or simply a joke referencing Trump’s prominent appearance at the World Cup trophy presentation.
Torres has not commented publicly on why he chose to wear the cap and is currently on holiday, leaving room for speculation in both Spain and the United States about his intentions.
Political flashpoint in Spain
The row soon extended beyond sport into Spain’s polarised political arena. The right-wing Vox party had already used a similar phrase in its messaging before the World Cup kicked off, and figures on the right were quick to rally behind the 24-year-old.
Left-leaning parties and public figures, by contrast, criticised the choice of slogan, arguing it echoed Trump-style right-wing populism. The dispute intensified after a mural of Torres was vandalised with the slogan “اللعنة على اسبانيا” (“Damn Spain”), underlining how the controversy had widened into a broader cultural and political dispute.
Karina Michias, a member of parliament, defended the forward in a pointed response to his critics. “الغيرة كانت دايما وقود اصحاب العقول الصغيرة. بينما ينشغل البعض بالانتقاد، يرد فيران توريس في المكان الاهم… داخل الملعب,” she said – “Jealousy has always been the fuel of small minds. While some focus on criticising, Ferran Torres responds in the most important place… on the pitch.”
White House joins the conversation
The story then crossed the Atlantic and reached the White House. The official White House account on X (formerly Twitter) weighed in with a brief message: “الجميع يريد ان يكون جزءا من الحركة” – “Everyone wants to be part of the movement” – directly referencing the MAGA brand that has underpinned Trump’s political career.
With the debate gathering international attention, Trump was asked for his view during a press conference in Washington, according to French broadcaster RMC.
“انه لاعب رايع. لقد ارتدى قبعة (لنجعل امريكا عظيمة مجددا). كانت لفتة رايعة، واعتقد انه فعل ذلك بحسن نية. نحن نقدر ذلك,” Trump said.
Translated, his remarks were: “He is a great player. He wore a ‘Make America Great Again’ cap. It was a wonderful gesture, and I think he did it with good intentions. We appreciate that.”
Trump dismisses idea of mockery
By framing Torres’ cap as a sign of admiration for the MAGA movement, Trump made clear he does not view the incident as parody or ridicule. Instead, he characterised it as a positive endorsement of his most famous political slogan, adapted to Spain’s World Cup-winning context.
His intervention appears aimed at closing down suggestions in the US that the Spain international was making fun of him, even as the debate over the political symbolism of the cap continues to divide opinion in Spain.
With Torres maintaining his silence, the forward’s simple wardrobe choice during Spain’s World Cup triumph has grown into a flashpoint spanning football, politics and international media – and has now drawn in both the White House and a former US president.
