WHEN president Pedro Sánchez appeared this week on US television channel MSNBC, reactions from viewers had little to do with Spanish politics and were more along the lines of: “He's gorgeous!”
As well as his looks, Spain's leader Pedro Sánchez (left) was praised for his ‘eloquence’, ‘intelligence’ and ‘diplomacy’ when interviewed by Joe Scarborough (right) on MSNBC's Morning Joe (photo: Pedro Sánchez on Twitter/@sanchezcastejon)
Spain's leader, 49, was invited onto the current affairs talk show Morning Joe, presented by well-known small-screen figures Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, and although his slot was only 10 minutes, it left a lasting impression on US society.
As part of his tour of the North American country aimed at strengthening ties, seeking investments, and 'putting Spain on the radar', Sánchez made the most of his appearance on daytime TV and was highly praised for his excellent English – a language he is fluent in – his optimism, and his closeness and friendly, comfortable approach to US president Joe Biden.
“A pleasure to be on Morning Joe today,” Sánchez tweeted afterwards, in flawless English.
“Spain is defining the roadmap to modernise its economy and wants to count on the US private sector.
“That is why we travelled here. Both countries must be allies in the face of great global challenges.”
Many Twitter users commented favourably on Pedro Sánchez's 'eloquence', 'diplomacy', and his level of 'intelligence' – he holds a PhD in economics – but the bulk of the responses, equally positive, were about his looks.
“He is hot,” one wrote, and another added, “Gorgeous man.”
“Good-looking man,” and “Cool prime minister,” were among the comments, which did not just stay on social media but were shown as 'subtitles' on the live interview stream and most of them are still on screen in the later version uploaded to YouTube.
“He's like the Hispanic version of John F. Kennedy,” one user opined.
Some even likened him to the on-screen character of Superman – at least in looks, although it is hoped that when his energies no longer have to be focused so heavily on the pandemic, Sánchez might prove to be so in his presidential rôle, of which Spain has yet to see the full potential given the Covid crisis.
One Twitter user, Chris Morris (@camorris) wrote: “My wife in the living room watching MSNBC Morning Joe...says, “We need to move to Spain.” I think it's because their Prime Minister looks like Superman.”
Diego E. Barros (@diegoebarros) wrote, in Spanish: “Well, what can I tell you. Spain, in the USA, if it's anything, it's Almodóvar [cult film director], Gasol [NBA basketball brothers Pau and Marc], José Andrés [celebrity chef who runs the charity World Central Kitchen] and, from today, Very Hot Spain Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.
“He's already proven more popular and has cost us less than him of the feet on the table and the bought medal.”
The social media user does not identify the latter, leaving it to others to guess.
Another tweet 'collected' comments by viewers which included 'Old Hollywood Fan', who stated: “Okay, I'm going to say it. He's HOT. What a gorgeous man,” and Ms Maddie, who wrote: “Pedro is hot and also smart,” plus Claire Bennett, who commented: “I can't get past the fact that he is incredibly handsome!”
But other comments were complimentary in ways that did not refer to Sánchez's attractiveness.
“Great appearance by Pedro Sánchez on Morning Joe. Easy questions, let's not pretend otherwise, but he was able to adapt himself very well to what the programme required: Closeness to Biden, opposition to Trump and China, and optimism for Spain,” wrote Emilio Doménech (@Nanisimo).
“Smart Prime Minister. Happy to see that. Great that women are playing a strong rôle in Spain,” wrote Mohammed Sharif, adding two 'clapping hands' emojis.
This is not the first time, though, that Spain's leader has been singled out publicly and internationally for his looks – in 2019, Patrick Greenfield of UK broadsheet The Guardian called Sánchez 'scandalously handsome', whilst German daily Der Spiegel dubbed him El Guapo, or 'The Handsome One'.
Back in the UK, the Financial Times referred to him as 'Mr Handsome' soon after he was elected in November 2019.
