Vladimir Putin's umbrella turns highlight of the World Cup presentation ceremony
Moscow: France overcame Croatia with a scoreline of 4-2 on Sunday to lift their second FIFA World Cup title in history.
Soon after, the award presentation followed where Russia president Vladimir Putin was present along with FIFA President Gianni Infantino, France President Emmanuel Macron and Croatia President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic.
A fierce downpour followed as both the teams were presented with the medals. While everyone else got drenched, Putin was saved by the rains thanks to his aide – who sheltered him using an umbrella. Twitterati could not hold back and trolled the Russian President.
Putin having a henchman hold an umbrella over him while the presidents of FIFA, France or Croatia get drenched is the ultimate boss move pic.twitter.com/iY5vpikaji
— Samuel Army (@BarstoolSam) July 15, 2018
Imagine being the person on the platform who had the first umbrella.
— Chris Quilietti (@ChrisQ_1) July 15, 2018
Then having to deciding which world leader to hold it over.
Putin probably your safest option. #WorldCupFinal
Check out our president! She’s the boss!!ðŸ'ªðŸ¼ðŸ‡ðŸ‡·No need for an umbrella, all that matters is that Croatian players just made us all proud and played their hearts out for their country!! â¤ï¸ ofc Putin had to make sure all that “hair” on his head stays dry 😂 #worldcup #croatia pic.twitter.com/etfh8gdHHI
— Nina (@_NiNjA7_) July 15, 2018
Putin being the only one with an umbrella is hilarious pic.twitter.com/T1dEjjRRla
— Dusty (@DustinGiebel) July 15, 2018
In case you were wondering who is in charge, #Putin gets the biggest umbrella while his visitors get drenched.......#FRACRO #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/j5VpwZRiah
— Justice Malala (@justicemalala) July 15, 2018
#WorldCupFinal
— طبيب برشلونة (@MJM_Alhabsi) July 15, 2018
Gianni Infantino (FIFA) laughing 😂 at the fact that Putin (Russia) is only one protected with umbrella â˜" 😂 pic.twitter.com/MRpqvUqVUF
Only Putin gets an umbrella. 😂😂😂😂
— Omo Ojeomogha (@OmoFizzy) July 15, 2018
So Macron and Kolinda can stay wet. #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/y6PjVbSec3
MVP of tournament: Putin’s umbrella guy. #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/Nm3VAEW1IM
— Jacob Rossi (@JacobARossi) July 15, 2018
As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster. pic.twitter.com/KYzhucLPJM
— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) July 15, 2018
Umbrella priorities:
— Anirban Dasgupta (@adg_5) July 15, 2018
Putin > World cup trophy
Putin’s Umbrella steals the show at the Football World Cup Presentation pic.twitter.com/cvxQh8xlRH
— Krish Indian🇮🇳 (@rssbjpside) July 16, 2018
#FrancevsCroatia #VladimirPutin #RussiaWorldCup2018 #putin #umbrella #Putinumbrella
— Bazkar (@bhaskar_gbr) July 16, 2018
The Godfather😎 pic.twitter.com/tnmGVwn3gF
Putin is...Putin 😆😂â˜"#Putinumbrella pic.twitter.com/SFYWnPfP9B
— Icelandball 🇮🇸 (@Icelandball) July 16, 2018
Putin said Russia could be “proud” of its hosting of the football World Cup, judging it a success “in every respect” after Sunday’s final.
“We can surely be proud of how we organised this tournament,” Putin said in televised comments after France’s victory against Croatia.
“We have made this grand event a success in every respect.”
He added that foreign visitors holding “fan ID” cards for the World Cup could have visa-free entry to Russia for the rest of 2018.
“Foreign supporters who currently have fan IDs will be able to benefit from multiple entries into the Russian Federation without a visa until the end of the year,” Putin said.
Despite high diplomatic tension between Moscow and the West, world football officials and personalities as well as world leaders have lined up to praise Russia’s hosting of the tournament.
Russian leaders revelled in Sunday night’s dramatic match after French players lifted the trophy, watched by Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron and Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, both of whom Putin said he had congratulated.
“A score of 4-2 in a final — I can’t remember seeing a score like that and few people could,” Putin said.
“Both teams were magnificent… I am sure everyone liked the way they played, and so did I.”
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev wrote on Instagram: “A marvellous final! France are champions. Russia has organised the best World Cup.”
The Russian foreign ministry congratulated France for its victory in an official tweet.
“Congratulations to the @FrenchTeam for their second title and thank you for this feast of football!” it wrote.
