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Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates visited the White House on Monday to meet with President Donald Trump in celebration of their first MLS Cup title. The team, co-owned by David Beckham, secured the championship in December. The visit took place while the club was in Washington ahead of their match against DC United this Saturday.
Messi and his team-mates stood on stage as Trump addressed the media, celebrating their achievement after providing an update on the ongoing US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
Trump said: "My son said, 'Dad, do you know who's going to be there today?' I said, 'no, I've got a lot of things going on'.
"He said, 'Messi!' He's a big fan of yours. He thinks you're a great person and I think you got to meet a little while ago.”
Argentina icon Messi, 38, committed his future to Miami in October with a new deal until 2028.
The former Barcelona and Paris St-Germain forward became the first player in MLS history to win the Most Valuable Player award in back-to-back seasons.
Addressing Messi, Trump added: "Leo claimed the 47th trophy of his incredible career - the most of all time.
"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 came bearing gifts for Trump, including a No. 47 jersey from the team's signature pink kit, reflecting his status as the nation's 47th president.
From Trump there were shout-outs to Miami's Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, rising star Tadeo Allende, and Rodrigo De Paul -- and a subtle dig at 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, an oblique reference to the fact Messi did not attend the ceremony when Biden awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in January 2025.
Trump's rundown of Miami's 2025 achievements included not only their 3-1 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup final but also their 2-1 victory over Portuguese side Porto in the Club World Cup, which marked the first time a North American team beat a European one in official competition.
