Joan Capdevila, a member of Spain’s 2010 World Cup-winning squad, has publicly asked President Donald Trump for assistance after being blocked from entering the United States. The 48-year-old retired defender hoped to attend Sunday’s World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium, where he intended to reunite with his former teammates. However, he revealed on social media that his ESTA application was denied, preventing him from traveling with his children.
In his online plea, Capdevila expressed deep frustration over missing the historic event and urged officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to intervene. During an interview with Spanish radio station COPE, he suggested the rejection stemmed from a 2016 exhibition match he participated in while visiting Iran.
Capdevila is not alone in facing such issues; last month, Somali referee Omar Artan was barred from entry at Miami International Airport due to alleged security concerns. White House representatives have been contacted by media regarding the situation. Spain, the reigning European champions, will face Argentina in the final following a victory over France, while Argentina advanced after defeating England.
