FIFA World Cup Hero Ferran Torres Is Scrambling To Explain His MAGA Hat Stunt, but His Excuse Is Only Making Things Worse
Ignorance is bliss.
FIFA 2026 World Cup hero Ferran Torres is backpedaling hard after his ‘Make Spain Great Again’ hat stunt blew up in his face, and his excuse is only digging him deeper into hot water. According to UNILAD, the Barcelona star, who scored the winning goal in Spain’s World Cup final victory, wore a red cap mirroring Donald Trump’s infamous ‘Make America Great Again’ slogan during the team’s victory parade in Madrid.
Now, he’s insisting it was all just a joke and had nothing to do with politics, but the internet isn’t buying it. Torres sat down with CNN’s Chief White House Correspondent Kaitlan Collins to clarify his choice, calling it “a funny moment.” He doubled down on his claim that politics were the last thing on his mind, telling Collins, “It was not about politics because honestly, I don’t know about politics.”
Instead, he framed the hat as a lighthearted way to celebrate Spain’s World Cup triumph, saying it was just about “seeing Spain on the top, winning the World Cup” and having fun with friends and family. But if the goal was to keep things apolitical, it backfired spectacularly.
The White House didn’t miss the opportunity to weigh in
It posted on X that “Everyone wants in on the movement” alongside a clip of Torres wearing the cap. According to the New York Post, Trump himself chimed in a few days after the final, calling Torres “a great player” and interpreting the hat as a “nice tribute.” He added, “I think he meant that very nicely, we appreciate it.”
Whether Torres intended it as a nod to Trump or not, the optics were impossible to ignore. The hat’s design was an unmistakable callback to Trump’s signature slogan, and in the hyper-politicized world of sports, even an attempt at humor can spark a firestorm.
Torres’ explanation hasn’t done much to quiet the critics. Spanish outlet El Plural called the hat a “clear ideological message,” and fans on social media have been quick to point out the irony of a player claiming ignorance about politics while wearing a symbol so closely tied to one of the most polarizing figures in global politics.
Torres, however, seemed unfazed by the backlash at the time. He posted several photos from the parade on X, including shots of himself wearing the cap, with the caption, “Somos los reyessssss! Vaya locura!” – which translates to “We are the kings! It’s absolutely crazy!”
The controversy comes at a turbulent time for FIFA
The federation has been dealing with its own leadership crisis. FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s job has been hanging by a thread after his plan to sell a 20% stake in a subsidiary linked to FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private equity firm Thrive Eternal collapsed.
UEFA nations threatened to boycott the next World Cup, and several countries rejected the idea outright, forcing Infantino to scrap the plan. Two nations have already confirmed they won’t support his re-election bid next year, and UEFA released a statement saying they’ve “lost confidence” in his leadership.
Torres, meanwhile, has been enjoying his post-World Cup vacation and reflecting on the moment that secured Spain’s victory. In an interview with NBC’s Today show, he admitted he’s rewatched his winning goal “a thousand times” because he barely remembers scoring it.
“When I finished the game, I don’t remember the goal,” he said. “I just have the feeling that I got crazy… I don’t remember how I scored.” He described the moment his teammates rushed the field to celebrate with him as even more exhilarating than scoring the goal itself, calling it “unbelievable.”
The hat controversy isn’t the only drama swirling around Torres
The 26-year-old forward is at the center of transfer speculation, with rumors swirling that he could leave Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain, the current Champions League winners. If he does make the move, it’ll be another high-profile chapter in a career that’s already seen him play for Manchester City and now potentially join one of Europe’s most star-studded squads.
Torres’ hat stunt has also reignited debates about the intersection of sports and politics, a topic that’s become increasingly unavoidable in recent years. Athletes are often expected to stay out of political conversations, but symbols like the MAGA hat – or its Spanish counterpart – carry too much cultural weight to ignore. Torres’ insistence that he was just having fun might be genuine, but in a world where every gesture is scrutinized, even a joke can land like a statement.
The timing of the hat controversy is especially awkward given the broader context of the World Cup final. Trump was present at the trophy ceremony, where he appeared eager for a photo opportunity. Spain’s captain, Rodri, however, waited until Infantino had escorted Trump to the side before lifting the trophy, a moment that didn’t go unnoticed by fans.
Some speculated that Torres’ hat was a subtle dig at Trump, while others saw it as an innocent homage. Either way, it’s clear that Torres’ attempt to keep things lighthearted has only fueled more speculation.
(Featured image: Bryan Berlin)
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