The presidents of three countries – finalists France and Croatia and hosts Russia – were in the limelight during and after the FIFA World Cup 2018 final, for different reasons. Although Croatian lost to France, President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic made it a point to hug each of the players on both sides, even as she was getting drenched in the rain.
French President Emmanuel Macron became a talking point for his reactions and when he joined the victorious French team players during the post-match celebrations in the dressing room. The 40-year-old leader was seen along with Paul Pogba, trying his hand at a famous celebration move – the dab – in a video posted by Benjamin Mendy.
Even the rain could not dampen the spirit of the French team, who interrupted their manager Didier Deschamps’ post-match press conference to spray him with champagne. In videos posted on Twitter, the players were seen climbing onto tables and dancing in joy.