Chelsea supporters have been busy scrutinizing photos from a high-profile political meeting in Washington, and their eyes landed on something unusual: Noni Madueke’s missing Club World Cup medal.
Yes, the very medal that had gone uncollected during Chelsea’s recent triumph appeared to be sitting pretty in the White House.
The unusual sighting occurred as former US President Donald Trump hosted a serious round of Ukraine peace talks, joined by European leaders including British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
They were accompanied by top figures such as NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
From the Oval Office to Football Headlines
While the discussions in the Resolute Desk were tense and high-stakes, football fans found a lighter distraction.
Behind the serious faces of world leaders, the FIFA Club World Cup trophy made a cameo.
The tournament, hosted in the US last month, saw Chelsea beat PSG 3-0 in the final, securing the coveted trophy.
Trump later clarified that Chelsea had received a replica of the trophy, while the “real” one ended up on display in the Oval Office—adding fuel to fans’ imaginations.
A Medal Mystery Unfolds
Fans didn’t stop at spotting the trophy.
Many claim they’ve now identified a winner’s medal sitting right next to it.
During the official trophy presentation, footage showed Trump receiving a medal from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, before pocketing it after the ceremony.
Speculation quickly emerged that this medal had originally belonged to England winger Noni Madueke.
Madueke had been part of Chelsea’s squad but flew home mid-tournament to finalize his £52 million transfer to Arsenal, missing the trophy presentation entirely.
Players Add to the Speculation
Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella recently stoked the theory while speaking about the medal.
“He [Trump] put it in his pocket,” the Spaniard said.
“He has it there in the White House, very well placed.”
Fans were quick to react online, pointing to the golden object next to the trophy as Madueke’s rightful medal.
“Zoom the Club World Cup trophy and you go see Madueke’s medal there,” one wrote, while another joked, “Noni’s medal is trapped in the White House.”
Daily Mail Sport, however, reported that Madueke is expected to receive his winners’ medal by post, making the White House sighting even more amusing.
Trump Steals the Spotlight at MetLife Stadium
Chelsea players were also left baffled by Trump’s involvement during the tournament final.
As the Blues celebrated their victory at MetLife Stadium, Trump stayed close, clapping and smiling in ways that left even star midfielder Cole Palmer confused.
Marc Cucurella revealed the players’ nerves: “We had been told that, as a rule, Donald Trump would come to present us with the trophy and then leave. But he didn’t want to leave, and he told us to lift it while he stayed. I was scared stiff!”
Trump had VIP treatment throughout the final, accompanied by First Lady Melania and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
However, his most memorable moment came post-match, when he remained front and centre for Chelsea’s trophy lift—igniting both confusion and laughter among players and fans alike.
Players React to the Unusual Ceremony
Cole Palmer admitted he was puzzled: “I knew he was going to be here, but I didn’t know he’d be on the stand when we lifted the trophy, so I was a bit confused.”
He had already received the Golden Ball award from Trump earlier, looking equally bewildered.
Despite being asked to leave the stage, Trump lingered, making the trophy ceremony one of the more unusual moments in Chelsea’s recent history.
Fans are still debating whether Madueke’s medal will ever make it out of the Oval Office—or if it’s destined to remain a quirky piece of football lore.
