Spain will face Argentina in Sunday’s World Cup final, but 2010 champion Joao Capdevila is currently unavailable because his US visa has been refused.
João Capdevila won the 2010 World Cup but is currently unable to take part in this Sunday’s final.
Spain’s World Cup champion João Capdevila was refused entry to the United States and posted an appeal for help from Donald Trump.
The former full-back was due to fly to New York for Sunday’s final, but major travel problems arose and he asked the US president to sort out the situation.
Capdevila’s visa has been refused and he will not be able to enter the country. The World Cup is mainly held in the United States, but also in Canada and Mexico, but there are considerable visa issues and players’ families cannot attend.
Now Spain’s World Cup winner is trapped and desperately seeking a solution. “I need your help @realDonaldTrump. I was just told I can’t go to the finals with my kids because my ESTA was denied,” he said on social media.
“Can someone please help me with this? You have no idea how excited I was to be there to cheer on this team with all of my teammates from 2010. I can’t believe they won’t let me into America…and to miss out on moments like this with my kids who love soccer…If anyone knows how to fix this problem, I’ll be forever grateful.”
Capdevila also tagged U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in another post asking for help.
In an interview with Spanish radio station COPE, Capdevila said that his visa was denied because of a match he played in Iran 10 years ago. In 2016, a La Liga legends team played against Iran’s all-star team in Tehran, which seemed to be a disadvantage for him.
Spain are aiming for another spot in the World Cup, their only victory coming in 2010. During that time, a golden generation of players dominated the international stage, winning the Euros in 2008 and 2012.
Former Spain international asked Donald Trump for help (Image: Saul Loeb/Pool AFP, via AP)
Capdevila started the final against the Netherlands in South Africa and was hoping to join his team-mates that night as the Spanish national team defeated Argentina.
The current squad, which includes Rodri and Lamine Yamal, started on a similar path to the Class of 2010, winning the Euros two years before reaching the World Cup final.
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