Argentina’s superstar, Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates were celebrated at the White House on Thursday by President Donald Trump following their 2025 MLS Cup triumph.
Messi took center stage as Miami players, coach Javier Mascherano, and team co-owner Jorge Mas stood alongside Trump.
The president opened with remarks on military action in the Middle East before shifting focus to the team’s accomplishments and recalling Brazilian legend Pele’s 1970s tenure with the New York Cosmos, which electrified U.S. soccer.
“I shouldn’t say this because I’m old, but I watched Pele play,” Trump said. “I don’t know, you (Messi) may be better than Pele. Pele was pretty good.”
The players presented Trump with gifts, including a No. 47 jersey from their iconic pink kit, honoring his role as the nation’s 47th president.
Trump also acknowledged Miami’s Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, rising talent Tadeo Allende, and Rodrigo De Paul, with a subtle nod to former president Joe Biden.
“It’s my distinct privilege to say what no American president has ever had the chance to say before: Welcome to the White House, Lionel,” Trump said, alluding to Messi’s absence from the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony under Biden in January 2025.
“I’ve seen a lot of great players come into the world of sports,” Trump continued. “They come to the Yankees or they come to the Dodgers… and there’s such a clamor. Everything’s great, but they don’t win. This guy won,” he said, gesturing toward Messi.
“Leo, you came in and you won. There’s a lot more pressure put on you than anyone would know because you’re sort of expected to win,” Trump added.
Trump highlighted Miami’s 2025 successes, including their 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup final and their 2-1 win against Portuguese side Porto in the Club World Cup, the first time a North American team defeated a European squad in official competition.
In response, Mas, the son of Cuban immigrants, praised the team’s philosophy, saying, “If you work hard and you sacrifice and you dream, it can be possible.”
Inter Miami’s achievements, he added, stemmed not only from Messi but from the collective effort of the squad.
“These men standing behind you have changed the culture of football in the United States of America forever,” Mas said. “We can play with the big boys.”
