Chelsea wins Club World Cup 2025: Why football fans are accusing Donald Trump of doing a ‘John Terry’ |
When Chelsea FC lifted the Club World Cup trophy in July 2025, the internet couldn’t help but focus on something… or rather, someone unexpected on stage. Among the players cheering, dancing, and cradling the silverware was US President Donald Trump—grinning, clapping, and looking every bit the victorious team member. The memes practically wrote themselves. But football fans in particular had a very specific comparison: “Trump just did a John Terry.”So, who is John Terry? And why does this keep coming up?
Chelsea’s Reece James (24) lifts the trophy as President Donald Trump looks on following the Club World Cup final soccer match between Chelsea and PSG in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Let’s rewind to May 2012.Chelsea won the UEFA Champions League in dramatic fashion, defeating Bayern Munich in a tense penalty shootout. Their captain, John Terry, had been suspended for the final after a red card in the semifinal. But when the trophy presentation rolled around, there he was—decked out in full Chelsea kit, boots and all—joining the team as they hoisted the cup.
Chelsea’s Reece James lifts the trophy besides President Donald Trump after the Club World Cup final soccer match between Chelsea and PSG in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)
Terry hadn’t played a minute of that final, yet there he was, looking like he’d just finished a hard-fought 120 minutes. The image instantly went viral. It became football meme royalty. Anytime someone appears to take credit for something they weren’t directly involved in, the phrase “pulling a John Terry” comes out of the meme vault.Fast forward to 2025, and now Trump’s Club World Cup photo is getting the same treatment.The situation? Chelsea beat PSG 3-0 in New Jersey to win the title. As the players lined up on stage, there stood Trump—smack in the middle of the celebration, passing out medals and photobombing the club’s most triumphant moment of the year. He had no tactical input, didn’t fund the club, and certainly didn’t make any tackles or assists. But there he was, cheesing with the squad like he’d just put in a man-of-the-match performance.The visual parallel to John Terry was immediate—and hilarious. Where Terry donned his kit for optics, Trump brought presidential swagger and political star power. The only thing missing was him in shin guards and a Chelsea scarf.The viral snap captures a surreal scene: Reece James lifting the trophy, Cole Palmer mid-celebration, and Trump grinning from ear to ear—firmly planted in the center. It’s as if he’s part of the team. The meme train didn’t take long—social feeds exploded with remix jokes, Photoshop edits, and playful rage over him stealing the spotlight.Cole Palmer, awarded Golden Ball for his performance, admitted he was caught off guard. “I knew he was going to be here, but I didn’t know he was going to be on the stand as we lifted the trophy, so I was a bit confused,” Palmer told AP reporters. That moment perfectly summarized the awkward energy on stage—trust me, you could practically hear the “Wait, what?” in his voice.
Why Trump was even there
Trump’s presence wasn’t random. The match doubled as a test run for the 2026 World Cup at the same venue, and he’s shown a clear interest in sport-politics crossover ever since returning to the White House. He’s attended the Super Bowl, UFC events, and even teased a UFC title fight at the White House. His appearance at a major soccer final in the US fits this pattern. Security was intense: snipers were deployed, the Secret Service was on high alert—it was all part of ensuring a smooth event. But no plan could anticipate Trump memeing himself into Chelsea’s big moment.Crowd reactions were mixed. Some booed when Trump walked onto the stage; others celebrated with cheers. On social media, fan reactions ranged from eye-rolling to outright laughter. “I am crying man how is this a real image,” writes one user.Beyond the meme potential, this moment underscored the growing crossover between politics and sport. Soccer, especially in the US, isn’t just entertainment—it’s a stage for diplomacy, branding, and cultural play. Trump’s appearance at a major tournament, despite not being elected FIFA head, underscored how big-time sports events now double as political theater.And for Chelsea, it’s a mind-blowing memory. A trophy, a landmark match, and an unexpected cameo from one of the most polarizing figures in recent history. A story no one expected—and now, everyone’s talking about.But the deeper comparison goes beyond the laugh. Both men, John Terry and Donald Trump, inserted themselves into celebratory moments they weren’t fully part of. Both understood the power of optics. And both got exactly what they wanted: headlines, camera time, and a spotlight they didn’t earn in the traditional sense—but claimed anyway.In the end, maybe the phrase needs an update. From now on, when someone jumps into the winner’s circle without playing the game, we might just say: “He pulled a full Trump Terry.”
