Barcelona striker Ferran Torres has defended wearing a cap bearing the slogan "MEGA" during Spain's World Cup victory parade, insisting the gesture had nothing to do with politics despite interpretations from the Trump White House that it signalled support for the MAGA movement.
"Just to Have Fun"
In an interview with CNN, Torres said the cap was "just to have fun with my friends and family and it had nothing to do with politics." The 26-year-old added, "Honestly, I don't know anything about politics. It was only about being able to see Spain back on top again, winning the Cup." Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute of the World Cup final against Argentina at the New York/New Jersey stadium, securing Spain's 2026 title. A day later, he wore the controversial cap during the victory parade held in Madrid.
The Trump administration quickly seized on the image. The White House's official account posted, "Everyone wants to join this movement," interpreting Torres's cap as tacit support for MAGA ideology. The incident has raised questions about how athletes navigate political symbolism in an era when every gesture can be amplified and reinterpreted across borders.
Property Allegations Surface
The controversy deepened as reports circulated that Torres owned a property company which had allegedly bought "20 homes in Valencia" to speculate with. His entourage said the story about the vulture fund was false. The timing of the allegations — emerging just as Torres appeared in the victory parade — has drawn criticism from housing activists who've long argued that speculation by wealthy individuals contributes to Spain's housing crisis, particularly in cities like Valencia where rental prices have surged.
While Torres's representatives deny the property claims, the juxtaposition of celebration and accusation highlights the tensions around wealth inequality in Spanish football. The country's housing shortage has become a defining political issue, with young people increasingly priced out of urban centres.
Future Uncertain
Torres also addressed his uncertain club future during the CNN interview. He's reportedly in talks to leave Barça ahead of next season, amid rumours he could sign for Paris Saint-Germain, which is coached by Luis Enrique. "Right now the only thing I know is that I have to go back there on 12 August and train with them," Torres said. "We'll see what happens (...) in football everything can change in an instant, I'm ready for anything."
CNN was not the only studio he appeared on during his stay in the United States, with further interviews scheduled on ESPN and NBC's Today show. CNN journalist Kaitlan Collins asked Torres about his future and PSG, where he was linked with a move.
Why This Matters:
The Ferran Torres cap incident illustrates how easily sporting celebrations can become political flashpoints in a polarised media environment. What the player describes as an apolitical joke was immediately claimed by the Trump White House as an endorsement — a reminder that athletes, particularly those with global visibility, operate in a space where symbolic gestures are never neutral. The property speculation allegations, whether true or false, also reflect broader European anxieties about housing affordability and the role of wealthy individuals in exacerbating the crisis. For young Europeans struggling to afford rent, the image of a millionaire footballer allegedly buying properties to speculate sits uncomfortably alongside celebrations of national sporting success. Torres's claim not to "know anything about politics" may be sincere, but it underscores a gap between public figures and the political weight their actions carry.