FIFA President Gianni Infantino wasted no time in delivering the inaugural Super Bowl-style gold rings to World Cup champions Spain shortly after their dramatic final win.
On Sunday afternoon, Spain triumphed 1-0 over Lionel Messi’s Argentina in extra time after a 106th-minute strike from forward Ferran Torres at MetLife Stadium.
Ahead of the final, FIFA had revealed that it had manufactured ‘bespoke championship rings’, 30 of which will be presented to the winner in New Jersey.
Infantino delivered on his promise almost immediately after the match was over and was pictured handing over one of the rings to Spain captain Rodri.
The FIFA chief was seen inside Spain’s locker room alongside the midfielder, who proudly accepted the ring before putting it on and snapping a picture with Infantino.
A number of Spain’s stars – including the likes of Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro – also posed with Infantino as he also provided them with replica World Cup trophies.
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino invaded the Spain locker room to hand out Super Bowl-style rings
Infantino pictured handing Spain captain Rodri one of the inaugural rings after their final win
Infantino, pictured with Lamine Yamal, also distributed replica World Cup trophies to players
A close-up shot of the World Cup rings handed out to Spain’s stars on Sunday evening
Before the final, FIFA claimed that the rings will feature an image of the golden World Cup trophy on one side, while the other will be customized after the final to ‘reflect the identity of the winning team’. The details for Spain’s ring are still unknown.
2,026 rings have been made in total, with 1,996 of those set to be put on sale for fans to purchase, though they are reported to be on sale for $148,000 (£110,000).
Winners’ rings are a tradition in American sport. The team which reigns victorious at the Super Bowl each year are presented with typically rose gold diamond rings featuring the phrase ‘World Champions’.
FIFA said today: ‘One side of the ring proudly features the FIFA World Cup trophy, while the other will be customized to reflect the identity of the winning team.
‘Each ring will be individually numbered, custom-fitted and delivered with its own certificate of authenticity.
‘Immediately after the final, the captain and head coach of the winning team will receive temporary rings to commemorate the occasion.
‘Each of the 30 rings for the winners will then be customized before being officially presented at a later date, ensuring the perfect lifelong fit for an achievement that will echo through eternity.’
Elsewhere on the day, US President Donald Trump took center stage as he awkwardly invaded Spain’s iconic trophy lift at the end of the FIFA World Cup final.
FIFA previously released this mock-up of how the World Cup gold rings would look
Spain star Pedro Porro stands alongside Gianni Infantino with his replica World Cup trophy
Spain clinched their second World Cup title after defeating Argentina 1-0 after extra time
There was no fairytale World Cup ending for Lionel Messi who struggled to assert his authority
Shortly after the full-time whistle, the US President made his way down to the field, where he was loudly booed by the crowd before making his way onto the stage alongside FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.
Trump and Infantino handed out various awards to match officials and players, before officially welcoming Spain’s players up to the stage to lift the World Cup trophy.
The US President presented the prestigious title to Spain captain Rodri, who took great pleasure in raising it aloft in East Rutherford.
Much like when he presented the Club World Cup title last summer, Trump stood awkwardly alongside the Spain squad as they lifted the trophy and celebrated wildly.
It seemed as though, when Spain were about to perform the trophy lift, Infantino had attempted to usher Trump away from the players – though the President remained.
He stood to the side of the squad as the confetti cannons went off at MetLife Stadium, clapping and grinning while Infantino laughed off Trump’s awkward cameo.
There were an estimated 1.5-1.8 billion viewers tuning in to watch the summer tournament’s showpiece finale, where Trump and Infantino took center stage once again.
Loud boos had come from the stands when Infantino and Trump made their way onto the pitch, as fans made their feelings on the duo undoubtedly clear.
US President Donald Trump took center stage as he gatecrashed Spain’s World Cup trophy lift
Trump and Infantino stand on stage as gold confetti falls around them after Spain’s victory
Prior to the official trophy lift, Trump also handed out silver medals to Argentina’s players – including Lionel Messi – after their heartbreaking defeat in New Jersey.
Fans noted that one Argentina star – Tottenham defender Cristian Romero – completely ignored the President as he collected his medal from Infantino.
In a video which swiftly went viral on social media, the Argentinian could be seen receiving his silverware from the FIFA chief before waltzing past Trump on stage.
Meanwhile, Trump also presented a trio of awards to Spain’s stars; including the Young Player of the Tournament, the Golden Glove and the Golden Ball – which were claimed by Pau Cubarsi, Unai Simon and Rodri respectively.
