Trump enters 'Make Spain Great Again' hat drama after World Cup star faces backlash

WASHINGTON, DC: A victory celebration that began with Spain lifting the FIFA World Cup has unexpectedly turned into a political talking point on both sides of the Atlantic.

Days after Spanish football star Ferran Torres found himself at the center of an online storm over a red "Make Spain Great Again" cap, President Donald Trump, on Friday, July 24, broke his silence, calling the gesture a compliment to the MAGA movement.

Trump calls Ferran Torres' cap a 'great compliment'

Trump addressed the controversy after a reporter asked about the criticism Torres has faced in Spain over the now-viral cap.

The reporter noted that some of Torres' critics had portrayed the footballer as being politically aligned with Trump because of the slogan.

Responding to the question, Trump dismissed the controversy and instead praised the Spanish forward.

"Well, he's a great player, and he was wearing, essentially, a Make America Great Again cap," Trump said. "And so it was a nice tribute. And I think he meant that very nicely. We appreciate it."

The president continued by defending the MAGA slogan itself, saying the movement had transformed the United States.

"We have made America great. Our country had become a laughing stock. We made America great," he said. He added that he believed Torres intended the gesture as "a very great compliment," saying, "We appreciate it."

Ferran Torres' cap sparks row

The discussion began after Spain returned home following its dramatic World Cup final victory over Argentina, with Torres scoring the decisive extra-time goal.

As hundreds of thousands of supporters lined the streets of Madrid, Spain's players celebrated aboard an open-top victory bus.

While fans focused on the World Cup trophy and the celebrations, Torres' choice of headwear quickly stole attention online.

The striker appeared wearing a bright red cap carrying the words "Make Spain Great Again," a phrase that immediately reminded many people of Trump's well-known campaign slogan.

Torres wore the cap extensively, not just briefly. It appeared repeatedly throughout the celebrations in photographs, videos from the parade and clips he later shared on his own Instagram account.

Within hours, screenshots and videos spread widely across X, Instagram and TikTok, triggering fierce debate over whether the cap carried a political message or was simply part of the festivities.

The slogan quickly divided opinion.

Some social media users dismissed it as harmless celebration merchandise or a tongue-in-cheek reference that should not be taken seriously, while others interpreted it as a nod to Trump.