In a surreal and memorable final in the FIFA Club World Cup at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey, USA, Cole Palmer delivered a world-class performance to lead Chelsea to a historic 3-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain, securing the club’s first Club World Cup title under the revamped format while also completing the most comprehensive trophy haul in football history.

It wasn’t just Palmer’s brilliance or Chelsea’s historic achievement that stole headlines, it was also the unexpected presence of U.S. President Donald Trump, who personally handed Palmer the Player of the Tournament award in front of a stunned global audience.

Palmer, 22, who has been the heartbeat of Chelsea’s resurgence under Enzo Maresca, capped off his remarkable season with another standout display, earning widespread praise even from defeated PSG boss Luis Enrique.

“It was a difficult game… and let me say, Palmer was very good,” Enrique admitted, moments after being caught in a bizarre altercation in which he appeared to slap Chelsea player, Joao Pedro, during a post-match scuffle. “My intention was to separate the players. I didn’t want the situation to get any worse.”

Yet even amid the tension, Enrique could not ignore Palmer’s quality a sentiment echoed throughout the stadium.

As the celebrations began, Trump who had been watching from the VIP stand joined Chelsea on the podium, prompting confusion from players. Reece James and goalkeeper Robert Sánchez were seen urging him to step aside before the presentation, to which Trump responded, “No, I am celebrating with you.”

Palmer was just as bewildered. “I knew he was going to be here but I didn’t know he was going to be on the stand when we lifted the trophy so I was a bit confused, yeah,” he said.

The moment marked a surreal climax to a campaign that saw Chelsea defy critics and expectations alike. “Everyone’s talked a lot of shit about us all season,” Palmer said in the aftermath. “But look at us now.”

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, in his first season at the helm, has guided the club to the UEFA Conference League title, a top-four Premier League finish, and now a Club World Cup triumph earning Chelsea $129.5 million in prize money and etching their name into the history books.

“I told my players that this competition will become just as important, or even more important, than the Champions League in the future,” Maresca said.

With this latest success, Chelsea become the first club ever to win every major title in existence: Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, and now the Club World Cup.

Palmer, who received the tournament’s top individual honor, delivered a defiant message to doubters.

“Let me remind you, they doubted us, talked shit, said bad things,” he said. “But I’m sorry. We are building something special here at Chelsea.”

Even Luis Enrique, bruised by defeat and surrounded by controversy, could not deny it: “Palmer was the difference.”

And with Donald Trump awkwardly applauding from the podium, it was clear this was not just another trophy lift. It was a bizarre, brilliant night where football, politics, and personal triumph collided and Cole Palmer stood at the center of it all.