Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino sparked controversy during Spain’s FIFA World Cup trophy lift by mimicking Donald Trump.
Mikel Merino mimics Donald Trump’s signature dance (Image: BBC)
Spain fans found it hilarious after Mikel Merino mimicked Donald Trump to his face as they lifted the World Cup trophy. Some supporters even believe the midfielder was ‘mocking’ the US President on the podium. Trump watched the World Cup final from his suite at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey as Spain edged past Argentina 1-0 thanks to Ferran Torres’ extra-time winner. Trump gate-crashed La Roja’s trophy celebrations after the match, despite FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s frantic efforts to usher him off the stage.
Spain captain and World Cup Golden Ball winner Rodri was equally unimpressed, attempting to coax Trump away from the podium to preserve the occasion. When Rodri encouraged Trump to move along, the president launched into his trademark YMCA-inspired fist-pump dance in front of the Spanish players in the front row. The reaction among the squad was largely one of disdain, with Victor Munoz and Nico Williams both visibly grimacing. Midfielder Merino, who netted Spain’s decisive goals in both the round of 16 clash against Portugal and the quarter-final against Belgium, instead danced along.
The 30-year-old, introduced by coach Luis de la Fuente as a substitute in the 76th minute, appeared to embrace the moment and mirrored Trump’s fist-pumping dance back at the US President.
Shortly afterwards, Merino turned and thrust his arms skyward to symbolically “lift” the trophy alongside Rodri and his fellow Spanish team-mates. One fan reacted to his Trump impersonatjon on X: “Please don’t Merino. I like you.” Another posted: “Merino hitting the Trump dance it’s never been more over for me.”
But others felt that Merino was actually trolling Trump. One wrote: “It kills me that Merino mocked Trump right to his face that man couldn’t represent me any more.” Another said: “Merino mocked Trump with his dance right in his face.”
A third posted: “Mikel Merino doing the Trump dance right next to him is historic. Brutal hahahahahahaha.” A fourth said: “Did Merino just do the trump dance lmao that’s hilarious.”
Merino has netted 12 goals in 51 appearances for the Spanish national side. The Osasuna academy graduate had spells with Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle before establishing himself as a regular starter at Real Sociedad. He joined Arsenal in 2024 and has played in a variety of roles for Mikel Arteta.
Donald Trump presented Spain with the trophy (Image: Getty)
Donald Trump hung around on stage as Spain lifted the World Cup trophy (Image: Getty)
On Sunday, Merino blocked a Lionel Messi strike with his face to help secure Spain’s slender 1-0 triumph.
But one Spanish player will have been particularly unenthused by Trump’s antics. Borja Iglesias, an unused forward at the World Cup, informed journalists this week that he intended to shake Trump’s hand after the match because he doesn’t “want to go to prison.”
Iglesias is highly vocal regarding his political views. The pro-Palestine striker has campaigned against racism and homophobia in Spain and was an outspoken opponent of Spanish women’s manager Luis Rubiales for his conduct after the 2023 World Cup final.
“People already know my opinions, and I would love to do many things, but the reality is that, although people think I’m all-powerful, I don’t have that much power to confront certain things. It’s complicated, really,” he stated before the final.
“It’s something I’ve thought about, something I’ve even imagined. I hope to greet him when we’re all very happy and that it’s all over very quickly so I can forget about it,” he added.