Chelsea pleayers celebrate with the championship trophy after the Club World Cup final soccer match between Chelsea and PSG in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer reacts after scoring a goal against Paris Saint-Germain during the first half of the Club World Cup final soccer match in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
President Donald Trump presents Chelsea’s Cole Palmer with the golden ball trophy after Chelsea won against Paris St Germain in the Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer gestures toward the crowd after Chelsea won against Paris St Germain in the Club World Cup final, at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer walks with the golden ball trophy after Chelsea won against Paris St Germain in the Club World Cup final, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (Kevin Lamarque/Pool Photo via AP)
Chelsea’s Cole Palmer surprised to share Club World Cup podium spotlight with Donald Trump
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Cole Palmer was jumping up and down behind Reece James as the Chelsea captain received the trophy for the Club World Cup, U.S. President Donald Trump to his left, standing between the midfielder and goalkeeper Robert Sánchez.
Chelsea pleayers celebrate with the championship trophy after the Club World Cup final soccer match between Chelsea and PSG in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Cole Palmer was jumping up and down behind Reece James as the Chelsea captain received the trophy for the Club World Cup, U.S. President Donald Trump to his left, standing between the midfielder and goalkeeper Robert Sánchez.
“I knew he was going to be here, but I didn’t know he was going to be on the stand when we lifted the trophy, so I was a bit confused,” Palmer said.
Palmer as top player of the tournament after scoring the first two goals in on Sunday night. Trump appeared to leave the award stand with a medal of his own, handed to him by FIFA President Gianni Infantino right after the medallion presented to James.
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At 23, Palmer was selected player of the match for Chelsea’s second straight final. A rising English star, he assisted twice in a 4-1 that won the Europa Conference League. He also scored the Blues’ first goal in over Palmeiras and had England’s goal in its 2024 European Championship final defeat to Spain.
“I’ve seen the billboards in Times Square and outside of Madison Square Garden,†Palmer said. “It’s a nice feeling to be obviously alongside them type of players.â€
Palmer had almost identical left-footed goals from just inside the penalty area in the 22nd and 30th minutes, then sent a through pass that enabled João Pedro to chip goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 43rd for his third goal in two starts with the Blues.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who wanted to exploit space on PSG’s left flank, told his players he wanted them to attack from the opening whistle.
“I think we won the game in the first 10 minutes and the message before the game was let them understand that we are here to win the game,” Maresca said. “Probably set a little bit the tone of the game.â€
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Chelsea went ahead after Sánchez kicked the ball downfield and Nuno Mendes mis-hit his header 15 yards past the midfield stripe toward his own goal. Malo Gusto’s shot was blocked by Lucas Beraldo and rebounded to Palmer, who ended PSG’s streak of 436 minutes without conceding.
“These are the games where we expect Cole to appear because they are big games, big moments,†Maresca said.
Palmer doubled the lead in the 30th when he ran onto a long ball from Levi Colwill and cut inside before shooting for his 18th goal of the season.
“It’s a great feeling. Even better because obviously everyone doubted us before the game,†Palmer said. “The gaffer put a great gameplan out, and obviously, he knew where the space was going to be.â€
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