"I NEED HELP @realDonaldTrump!" That's not a social media stunt — that's Joan Capdevila, a man who lifted the World Cup in 2010, publicly appealing to the US President because he can't get into the country to watch Spain play the final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.
Capdevila, 48, was denied an ESTA — the standard travel authorisation most Europeans use to enter the United States — and believes he knows exactly why. In 2016, he played in a La Liga legends exhibition match held in Tehran against an Iranian all-star side. That single trip, it seems, has flagged his application.
A reunion that won't happen
The retired left-back was planning to bring his kids to New York, link up with his former 2010 team-mates, and watch Spain attempt to win a second World Cup title in their history. He tagged Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, and the Spanish government's ministry of sport in his plea. He's casting a wide net.
"You have no idea how excited I was to be there with all my 2010 team-mates," he posted on X. "I can't believe they're not letting me into the USA."
He's not alone in being caught out. Somali referee Omar Artan — the 2025 CAF men's referee of the year — was barred from the tournament entirely last month after being refused entry at Miami Airport, with US officials citing his "association with suspected members of terror organisations." The pattern here is clear: US visa screening for this tournament has been far stricter than anyone anticipated, and it's catching people well outside any reasonable threat category.
The bigger picture for Sunday
The match itself is a genuinely historic occasion. Spain, European champions, face Argentina, Copa America holders and reigning world champions, in a final that pits the two most dominant international sides of recent years against each other. La Roja beat France 2-0 in Dallas on Tuesday. Argentina came from behind to edge England 2-1 on Wednesday. Neither team has looked beatable when it matters.
Spain are slight favourites with most bookmakers, but Argentina's ability to find a result even when they're not at their best makes the market close. The last time these two met in a World Cup knockout game was 1966. This is uncharted territory for both fanbases.
Capdevila's kids, meanwhile, will be watching from home — if he can't get Trump to read his tweet in time.
