Cole Palmer was left shocked and stunned as United States President Donald Trump joined Chelsea on stage as they celebrated their Club World Cup success on Sunday.
In a moment that has gone viral on social media, a bemused Palmer appeared to question why Trump, who presented Chelsea with the trophy alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino, remained in position on the stage as Reece James lifted the trophy and the team began their celebrations amid fireworks and confetti.
Palmer, who scored twice and set up another as the Blues stunned favourites Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in front of Trump in the final in New Jersey, said afterwards: “I knew he was going to be here but I didn’t know he was going to be on the stand when we lifted the trophy. I was a bit confused, yes.”
Image: FIFA boss Gianni Infantino appeared to try to encourage USA President Donald Trump to step away so Chelsea could lift the trophy…
Blues skipper James, who was presented the trophy by Trump, added: “They told me that he was going to present the trophy and then exit the stage. I thought that he was going to exit the stage but he wanted to stay.”
Asked what Trump had said to him, James added: “To be honest, it was quite loud. I couldn’t hear too much.
“He just congratulated me and the team for lifting the trophy and told us to enjoy the moment.”
Palmer: We proved our doubters wrong
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Highlights of the FIFA Club World Cup final between Chelsea and PSG
Meanwhile, Palmer revelled in proving Chelsea’s doubters wrong as they claimed their second Club World Cup trophy with a superb victory over the European champions.
Palmer found the same corner of Gianluigi Donnarumma’s net twice in eight first-half minutes before setting up Joao Pedro for Chelsea’s third goal as they claimed their second trophy of the season following their Conference League win.
PSG had been heavily fancied to lift the trophy and complete a quadruple after thrashing Real Madrid 4-0 in the semi-finals, but they could not recover after Chelsea’s rampant first-half showing, and had Joao Neves sent off for a hair-pull on Marc Cucurella.
Palmer’s goals came almost exactly a year after he scored in England’s Euro 2024 final loss to Spain, but this time there was never any doubt they would lead to a victory which, according to the 23-year-old, was made all the sweeter by the pre-match expectations.
Image: Cole Palmer does his trademark ‘cold’ celebration
Image: Palmer is joined by his team-mates as he celebrates
“Obviously it’s a great feeling,” Palmer said on DAZN. “Even better because obviously everyone doubted us before the game.
“But to go out there and put a fight on like we did against a great team, it’s good.”
“I like finals and it happened again,” he added of his goals, which equalled his total for his previous 29 appearances for club and country combined and took him to 18 for the season in total.
“The gaffer put a great game plan out. He knew where the space was going to be. I just had to repay him and score some goals.”
“He’s building something special, something important,” he added of head coach Enzo Maresca. “I feel like we are going in the right direction.”
Maresca said: “Today we found a position for him where there was space to attack.
“I’m happy for Cole but the effort from all the players has been fantastic.”
Image: Chelsea’s Joao Pedro celebrates his goal
In a showpiece fixture which featured lengthy pre- and half-time shows more typical of NFL games, and was watched Trump, Maresca insisted he saw the win coming before their 22nd-minute opener.
“No words for the players,” he said. “They deserve it. It’s a good moment.
“For me, we won the game in the first 10 minutes. In the first 10 minutes we set the tempo for the way we want to play. We were very good.
“Unfortunately with the weather conditions it is not easy to do for 90 minutes, but I think we won the game in the first 10 minutes.”
Image: US President Donald Trump looks on as Chelsea captain Reece James lifts the Club World Cup
Chelsea now face a quick turnaround to the new season, beginning their Premier League campaign live on Sky Sports against Crystal Palace in only a month’s time on August 17.
“Our future is very exciting,” added Maresca. “But I’m more excited for three weeks off!”
Analysis: Carefree Palmer shines on big stage
Image: Cole Palmer is handed the best player of the tournament award by US president Donald Trump, with Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly looking on
Sky Sports’ Nick Wright:
Palmer was pictured riding a scooter through Times Square in the build-up to the final. He revelled in the same child-like freedom on the pitch at the MetLife Stadium.
The 23-year-old had only scored twice in his previous 29 appearances going into the game. The second half of this epic season has not always been easy for him. But he lived up to his nickname with his finishes for Chelsea’s first two goals.
Both were dispatched with unerring calm, out of reach of the towering figure of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who had only been beaten once all tournament, and into the same corner of the net.
Image: Cole Palmer scored two goals and set up the other
He showed his creative abilities for the third goal, punishing the space afforded to him by Paris Saint-Germain as he carried the ball forward before timing his pass perfectly for Joao Pedro.
Palmer continued in the same vein, playing with a carefree swagger even as PSG began to lose their heads, at one point drawing cheers from the crowd when he kept the ball in play by backheeling it through the legs of Fabian Ruiz.
He treated his interaction with the US president Donald Trump with the same apparent nonchalance as he collected his winner’s medal and the best player of the tournament award. But as PSG now know, this is a player to be taken seriously.
