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President Donald Trump hosted Lionel Messi and Inter Miami at the White House on Thursday to honor the team's 2025 MLS Cup championship, marking the first time an MLS squad has visited during Trump's administration.
"We are celebrating truly exceptional individuals," Trump declared. "It brings me great honor to speak words no American president has previously uttered: 'Welcome to the White House, Lionel Messi.'"
Trump walked into the East Room accompanied by Messi and Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas. With Miami's remaining players positioned in formation behind him, Trump began his speech connecting the team's recent achievements to current Middle Eastern military operations.
"We appreciate champions, we value winners," Trump stated. "The U.S. military, alongside our excellent Israeli allies, continues to completely devastate our adversaries well ahead of projected timelines at unprecedented levels. We are eliminating Iran's missile and drone capabilities every hour."
Trump subsequently focused entirely on the Miami delegation and commended Messi's championship record, having guided the Herons to the 2025 MLS Cup, 2024 Supporters' Shield and 2023 Leagues Cup since joining South Florida in 2023.
"I've witnessed numerous exceptional athletes enter the sporting world, arriving from various nations and backgrounds," Trump remarked. "They've originated from different states in some instances. They join the [New York] Yankees, the [Los Angeles] Dodgers, or other teams. I've observed international arrivals generating enormous excitement. Everything appears promising, yet they fail to achieve victory. This individual succeeded; he arrived amid tremendous celebration, and he delivered wins!"
Messi and Mas gifted the President a pink Inter Miami uniform featuring "Trump" and the number 47, representing his status as America's 47th President. Messi additionally autographed a sparkling pink-and-black soccer ball for the President.
Trump Draws Parallels Between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Pelé
Trump Draws Parallels Between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Pelé
Trump drew comparisons between Messi and Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who attended a formal White House dinner in November. He also likened the Argentine to Brazilian icon Pelé, whom Trump observed playing for the New York Cosmos in the former North American Soccer League.
"I would attend occasionally, but soccer hadn't gained traction," Trump noted, discussing soccer's recent expansion in America. "Now it's remarkable how the sport is resurging in our nation, though the Cosmos were an exciting team competing against less competitive opponents."
The President praised Messi and addressed the eight-time Ballon d'Or recipient, suggesting, "You might surpass Pelé," before asking the audience: "Who performs better?"
You might be better than Pele" 👀
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami meet Donald Trump after their MLS Cup victory 🏆 pic.twitter.com/y5ElLpn3JD
Trump also praised other team members, including star winger Tadeo Allende and Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul. His compliments shifted to physical appearances, describing Messi as "attractive" and telling the group, "Do you have any unattractive players? I prefer the less attractive ones significantly more."
During his speech, the President also mentioned his trade policies and boasted about 2026 World Cup ticket sales, claiming they were "twice what anyone has previously achieved." He labeled the 2020 Presidential Election "fraudulent and stolen," which ultimately enabled his third campaign in 2024 and current oversight of the World Cup and Los Angeles 2028 Olympics during his second presidency.
Messi, who recently expressed his "profound" disappointment about not mastering English, remained standing and smiling throughout the event, an uncommon political appearance for the 38-year-old.
Messi's Inaugural Visit, Mas's Comments
Messi's Inaugural Visit, Mas's Comments
Mas highlighted Miami's official team slogan, "Freedom to Dream," a message featured on Trump's special edition ball, while expressing appreciation for the White House invitation.
"As the child of parents who fled Cuba seeking liberty in this magnificent nation, it has motivated our pursuit of excellence, and we wondered, 'How can we create impact? What extraordinary achievement can we accomplish?'" Mas explained.
"At that moment, I committed to what many considered unachievable. I declared, 'We will recruit the world's finest player to Inter Miami,' and that was in 2019, and today, standing here, the world's greatest player stands to my right."
Mas's mention of his immigrant heritage occurs during the Trump administration's significant expansion of operations, targets and arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement nationwide this term.
.@InterMiamiCF owner Jorge Mas and Lionel Messi present @POTUS with gifts, including a 47 jersey, a watch, and a custom bedazzled soccer ball. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/3UNCx2Oka4
Messi was previously invited to the White House in 2024 to accept the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian recognition, from President Joe Biden. Though unable to participate, he joins only 36 athletes who have received this distinction.
The ceremony concluded with Trump welcoming the Herons into the Oval Office.
Miami's delegation excluded co-owner and soccer icon David Beckham or Spanish nationals Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, both crucial to Miami's championship campaign who retired following the season. Recently, Trump labeled Spain a "failure" for declining to assist the U.S. in Middle Eastern affairs.
Following this visit, Miami prepares for Saturday's match against D.C. United at M&T Bank Stadium, home of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, seeking to continue momentum from a 4–2 victory over Orlando City in last Sunday's Florida Derby.