Posted on 07/19/2026 8:01:53 AM PDT by MinorityRepublican
Spain striker Borja Iglesias has conceded he will reluctantly shake Donald Trump's hand at the World Cup final because he 'doesn't want to go to prison'.
The United States president will be on hand at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to hand the Jules Rimet trophy to the winners on Sunday, with Spain taking on defending champions Argentina.
It's possible, though, that Trump will meet players from both sides, and that's put Iglesias on edge.
The 33-year-old has regularly made his political views clear, and spoke out during the controversy surrounding former president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation boss Luis Rubiales, who was convicted of sexual assault after forcibly kissing player Jenni Hermoso following the 2023 Women's World Cup final.
Iglesias, who plays for Celta Vigo in his homeland, has also previously backed pro-Palestine protesters, painted his fingernails black in support of Black Lives Matter and has regularly spoken out against homophobia.
Now, he faces the prospect of meeting Trump - something he doesn't seem keen to do.
'I don't want to go to prison,' Iglesias told a local magazine at the prospect. 'I hope to greet him at a time when we are all very happy, and that it passes very quickly and I can forget about it.
'I don't think this is the time to create controversy. People know perfectly well what I think. I would love to do many things, but the reality is that even if people think I am all-powerful, I don't have that much power to tackle certain things.'
Having scored 18 goals this season for Celta Vigo, Iglesias has made three appearances at the World Cup, totalling 73 minutes as a back-up striker.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.com ...
I just became a big Argentina fan
Poor guy, thinks America is like Spain.
Hey, you don’t have to shake the Presidents hand.
Just another Euroweenie cry baby.
Must be looking to get a SAG card and live in California.
Well. I didn’t give a damn about the World Cup. But now I’m going to root for Argentina. Spuck Fain.
This guy is a real f’ing moron. If you don't want to shake his had, don't shake his hand. Nobody, and I mean absolutely nobody in America gives a damn one way or another. This guy seems dumber than Rosie O’Donnel.
Heck Mbappé was smiling after an England goal.
This is my fear that FIFA, in their desire to bring in more casual fans will continue to change the rules to make more games like this. Like banning sliding tackles.
....as he watches his communist government import millions of turds from Africa.
“Republicans buy shoes too”
Spain’s New “HODIO” Speech Monitor Is the Latest Assault on Free Expression in Europe
Prison? Only in a communist country.
Says a lot right there about where he’s from.
I hope not, and also hope they don’t make the water breaks into a regular thing to generate advertising revenue. I agree with having water breaks when necessary, but maybe we should have a temperature cut-off etc.
That is old Timey passé thinking. People today don’t think that way. They are hundred percent, committed, do or die ideologues.
“Water Breaks” aka “Ad Breaks” are here to stay. The networks will demand them as part of the next TV contracts with the big leagues.
Hope he doesn’t get the chance to be near Trump just because he has such hate in his mind.
I would bet, that if he did get the chance to be near Trump, he would come away from it feeling somewhat less hateful.
Yeah, she was so impressed, she swore off men completely.
“You are not all-powerful; you are a soccer player.”
and many if not most people don’t watch or care about soccer. go suck rocks.
Good Luck....but listen carefully....under his breath Trump says....Loser...
Meh. Just another poorly informed European. Don’t have to jump all over him.
I’ve never thought it was appropriate to pray for a team to win or lose a game. It’s just a game. But I think I might just say a few prayers for this match.
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