The World Cup final is supposed to be the crowning glory of the tournament, the moment when the beautiful game takes centre stage and everything else...
The World Cup final is supposed to be the crowning glory of the tournament, the moment when the beautiful game takes centre stage and everything else fades into the background. But if Sunday's spectacle in New Jersey taught us anything, it is that the circus surrounding the sport has become almost as loud as the action on the pitch. Spain landed in Madrid to a heroes' welcome, their arms aching from the weight of the trophy, yet the conversation has already shifted to the bizarre pantomime that unfolded around them.Let us begin with the closing ceremony, a lacklustre affair where Tom Cruise was drowned out by a crowd that had come to see football, not a stuntman. The half time show, a tedious interlude no supporter had asked for, plugged a gap that simply did not need filling. It felt like a desperate attempt to Americanise a global event, a reminder that the hosts are still learning the rhythms of the game. And then, with the final whistle blown and the trophy lifted, Donald Trump did what he has done all tournament: kept his physical distance from the action until the cameras were rolling, then tried to steal the show just as the curtain was falling.The result is a strange disconnect. Spain's triumph should be the only story. They have been the outstanding side, a masterclass in transitional play and clinical finishing, and they complete their campaign with a record that will stand for years. Yet here we are, talking about a president's ego and a Hollywood star's microphone. A reader, Peter Oh, put it best with a wry observation: if the last team to beat Spain was Scotland, does that mean Scotland have won the World Cup He is joking, of course, but the question cuts through the noise. The real champions are the ones who did their talking on the pitch, not on the podium.So while the media circus packs up its tents and moves on, let us not forget what actually mattered. Spain's homecoming in Madrid was a genuine moment of joy, a celebration of tactical flexibility and collective spirit. Kevin Keegan received tributes that reminded us of the game's emotional core. But the memory of this final will be tainted by the farce that surrounded it. The beautiful game deserves better than a sideshow.
