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Chelsea thrash PSG 3–0 to win the Club World Cup — with Donald Trump front and centre

Chelsea thrash PSG 3–0 to win the Club World Cup — with Donald Trump front and centre

A historic night for the Blues, overshadowed by an unusual awards ceremony

East Rutherford, NJ – July 13, 2025
It was meant to be a night of footballing excellence — and it was. But it also became, unexpectedly, a night of political theatre. Chelsea FC crushed Paris Saint-Germain 3–0 to win the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at a packed MetLife Stadium. Yet what dominated headlines afterward was not just the football, but the presence — and performance — of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

 Chelsea’s clinical masterclass

On the pitch, Chelsea were unstoppable. Cole Palmer delivered a spectacular performance, scoring twice (18’, 37’) and assisting João Pedro for a third (60’), sealing a well-deserved victory under head coach Enzo Maresca. It was Chelsea’s second world title after their 2021 win.

PSG, despite boasting stars like Kylian Mbappé, never found their rhythm. The French side struggled against Chelsea’s structured press and midfield control, failing to register a single shot on target in the second half.

“It’s a team win, but also a statement. We’re here to stay at the top,” Maresca said post-match.


 Trump steals the spotlight

The match was followed by what should have been a straightforward trophy presentation. But things took an unexpected turn when Donald Trump, 79, took the stage.

Invited to present the trophy to Chelsea captain Reece James, Trump remained at centre stage during the celebrations — even as the players hoisted the cup. He stood, arms folded and smiling, directly in front of photographers and broadcast cameras.

 In FIFA’s official photos, the trophy is barely visible — eclipsed by Trump, standing squarely in the frame alongside the squad.

While such ceremonies are typically brief and protocol-driven, Trump’s extended on-stage presence raised eyebrows. Many saw it as a calculated political move amid his active campaign for the 2028 presidential election, while others described it as a bizarre and awkward moment that detracted from the players’ spotlight.

“Trump didn’t just hand over the trophy. He hijacked the moment,” wrote one commentator in The Washington Post.


 Match Summary

  • Competition: 2025 FIFA Club World Cup (Expanded 32-team edition)

  • Venue: MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, USA

  • Attendance: 82,476

  • Final score: Chelsea 3 – 0 PSG

  • Goals: Palmer (18’, 37’), João Pedro (60’)

  • Man of the Match & Golden Ball winner: Cole Palmer

  • VIP in attendance: Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States


 Reactions

Reece James (Chelsea captain):

“Didn’t expect the trophy handoff to go quite like that. But hey — we’ve got the cup in our hands, that’s what matters.”

Luis Enrique (PSG manager):

“We weren’t good enough. Chelsea were better in every department. That’s the hard truth.”

A FIFA official (speaking anonymously):

“Mr. Trump’s role wasn’t meant to be so prominent. Let’s just say things got… a little off-script.”


 A footballing milestone — and a media moment

The 2025 Club World Cup was the first of its kind: a 32-team tournament designed to rival the World Cup in scale and spectacle. It may also be remembered as a sign of football’s growing Americanization, where protocol can give way to performance, and where the lines between sport and politics blur.

Chelsea leave with the trophy, the glory, and a place in history. Trump, as ever, leaves with what he came for: the camera.

 

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