Joan Capdevila, a member of the Spanish team that won the 2010 World Cup, has publicly appealed to U.S. President Donald Trump for assistance after his application for a travel permit to enter the United States was denied. Capdevila, 48, stated that he was informed his Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) was rejected, which would prevent him from attending Sunday's World Cup final.
Capdevila had intended to reunite with former teammates and watch Spain compete in their second World Cup final, scheduled to take place at MetLife Stadium. Visitors seeking to enter the U.S. for stays of up to 90 days without a visa are typically required to obtain ESTA approval. He expressed his disappointment on social media platform X, writing, "I NEED HELP @realDonaldTrump!" He added that he was looking forward to being with his former teammates and celebrating the event with his children, who are passionate about soccer.
In addition to reaching out to President Trump, Capdevila also tagged U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Spain's Ministry of Sport in his appeal, seeking help to resolve his travel situation. He voiced his disbelief at being denied entry and missing a significant moment with his family and former colleagues. Capdevila, a former defender for Villarreal and Deportivo, emphasized his gratitude to anyone who could offer a solution to his predicament.