Donald Trump says he has FIFA Club World Cup trophy, Chelsea awarded replica

US President Donald Trump says the champions of the Club Word Cup won't be getting the original trophy because he will be keeping it in the White House.

Trump and first lady Melania Trump were at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to witness the final match where Chelsea won 3-0 against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). When he was shown on the video screens during the pre-game national anthem, Trump received a scattering of boos. He was booed again later on after the game, when he was presenting medals on the field to players alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Before the game, Trump told broadcaster DAZN he was gifted the trophy ahead of Chelsea's win.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino visit the White House along with the trophy in March, the Independent reported.

"They said, 'Could you hold this trophy for a little while?' We put it in the Oval Office," Trump said.

"Then I said, 'When are you going to pick up the trophy?' He says, 'We're never going to pick it up. You can have it forever in the Oval Office. We're making a new one."

Trump, alongside Infantino, presented the trophy to Chelsea captain Reece James. However, Trump remained on stage while the FIFA boss departed.

Chelsea players were surprised to share the podium with Trump. Typically in soccer, the trophy lift is for the players and staff of the winning team.

"I knew he [Trump] 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," said Chelsea player Cole Palmer, who was named the player of the tournament.

"Before they told me that he was going to present the trophy and exit the stage. I thought he was going to exit the stage, but he wanted to stay," James added.

It led to the unusual image of the Chelsea squad celebrating its tournament victory with the US president squarely in the middle of it all.

Infantino also appeared to give Trump a winner's medal during the presentation after the final, which the president put in his pocket before the trophy celebrations.

"It was an upset today, I guess," Trump told reporters after flying back to Washington following Chelsea's victory, per AP. "But it was a great match."

Chelsea had last won the 2021 Club World Cup in its previous format.

- RNZ/CNN