Spanish football star Ferran Torres has defended his decision to wear a hat emblazoned with the phrase 'Make Spain Great Again,' despite criticism from politicians and media. The hat, which echoes a well-known slogan from former U.S. President Donald Trump, was featured in photos Torres posted on social media.
Left-leaning politicians and several news outlets in Spain strongly criticized the forward, saying the slogan carried political overtones. However, Torres did not remove the images, effectively doubling down on his choice. The player, who helped Spain win the UEFA Nations League in 2023 and was part of the 2022 World Cup squad, has not issued a formal statement explaining his reasoning.
The controversy comes as Spain prepares for upcoming international matches. Torres, who plays for FC Barcelona on loan from Manchester City, is expected to be called up for the national team. His stance has sparked debate among fans and commentators about whether athletes should express political messages.
Torres remains focused on his football career, but the hat incident has drawn attention to the intersection of sports and politics. As of now, the Spanish football federation has not commented on the matter.