Ferran Torres sparks controversy with 'Make Spain Great Again' cap at World Cup parade
The striker strolled through Madrid in a red cap echoing Donald Trump’s slogan, reworked for Spain, just hours after scoring the goal that clinched the world title for his national side.
Ferran Torres scored the goal that delivered the 2026 World Cup title against Argentina, in the 106th minute of the final played at the New York/New Jersey Stadium. The very next day, during the victory parade through the streets of Madrid, the forward appeared shirtless and wearing a red cap emblazoned with the phrase "Make Spain Great Again", a direct spin on Donald Trump's campaign slogan, "Make America Great Again".
Images of Torres waving to fans from the open-top bus, wearing the cap, spread quickly on social media. The item does not belong to the official brand of the MAGA movement, but is an adapted version of the slogan referring to Spain. Before the parade, the squad had visited King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia at the Zarzuela Palace, and also the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, at Moncloa.
Mixed interpretations
The gesture prompted very different interpretations among fans and the media. Some saw it as a joke with no deeper meaning; others read it as an ironic nod to Trump, or even as a possible dig at Sánchez. It has also been pointed out that the formula "Make Spain great again" has previously been used by the right-wing party Vox, which fuelled the political readings of the episode.
Torres has not given any public explanation for his choice nor clarified whether there was any specific intention behind the message, so for now the episode remains open to each person's interpretation.
Sumar accuses Torres of running a vulture fund
The controversy now went beyond the cap. Alberto Ibáñez, an MP for Compromís–Sumar, on Tuesday spread incorrect information by claiming that Ferran Torres's company was operating as a "vulture fund" and had bought "20 homes in Valencia" to speculate with. However, as reported by El Español and confirmed to the outlet by people close to the footballer, that claim does not reflect reality.
Sources close to the player explain that the main property asset of Eleven Future Invest is a commercial-use building next to Mestalla, made up of 50 offices rented to companies, and not a portfolio of residential flats for speculation.
As for his residential assets, Ferran Torres owns four homes: his residence in Barcelona, two properties in Valencia and another house in the town where he spends his holidays. He also owns a plot of land on which he plans to build in future.
The controversy stemmed from a piece of information published by Forbes, which stated that the forward has "20 properties strategically spread between the Valencia region and Catalonia".
On the basis of that reference, Ibáñez stepped up his criticism and called for legal reform to prevent "companies and vulture funds such as Eleven Future Invest, the company owned by Ferran Torres which, according to Forbes, already controls 20 homes in Valencia, from buying houses to speculate with".
Cucurella also in a tight spot
The defender, a new signing for Real Madrid, was one of the liveliest during the celebrations in Madrid. After the official receptions at the Zarzuela Palace and Moncloa, the party moved on to Plaza de Cibeles. There, each player walked out onto the stage to a song of his own choosing, and Marc once again picked 'Malbec', the track by Duki and Bizarrap that he had already used during the celebrations for Euro 2024.
The gesture did not go unnoticed in Argentina for two reasons. The artists behind the song are two Argentinians (Duki and Bizarrap), and the lyrics ("I got to the city and they welcome me like I'm the boss. Getting bigger and bigger and even I don't know how it happened. Today we celebrate and my team were crowned champions. Inside the party, out on the street, you can hear my voice") did not help either.
Some fans and media outlets interpreted the choice of song as a provocation towards the Albiceleste after the outcome of the tournament. The daily TyC Sports, for instance, went so far as to describe it as a "mockery" aimed at the Argentina national team.
