The greeting between Álex Baena and the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, during the official reception for the Spanish team, champions of the 2026 World Cup, became one of the most talked-about moments of the event. The midfielder shook the president’s hand, but did so without making eye contact, a gesture that did not go unnoticed and quickly generated reactions on social media and among attendees. The images show how Baena complies with the institutional greeting protocol, although he keeps his gaze in another direction while shaking Sánchez’s hand. The scene recalled a similar episode involving Dani Carvajal during the celebration of Euro 2024. On that occasion, the Real Madrid full-back also greeted the president without barely making eye contact, an attitude that gave rise to numerous interpretations and comments about the meaning of the gesture.
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On this occasion, Baena’s behavior has once again fueled the debate. While some consider it simply a casual moment within the protocol of an official reception, others have interpreted the lack of eye contact as a sign of coldness or distance towards the head of the Executive. However, the footballer made no statement on the matter, so there is no official explanation for his attitude. The reception took place after the Spanish team arrived in Madrid, where it was honored by the main state institutions after winning the 2026 World Cup.
The players were received by King Felipe VI at the Zarzuela Palace and later went to the Moncloa Palace to meet with Pedro Sánchez before starting the celebration tour through the streets of the capital. Beyond the sporting success, Baena’s brief gesture during the protocol greeting became one of the most commented details of a historic day for Spanish football.
