Trump Honors Lionel Messi and Inter Miami Teammates at White House Ceremony Celebrating 2025 MLS Cup Triumph

By Jordan Hale, Sports and Politics Correspondent March 6, 2026

In a star-studded East Room event that blended soccer glory with presidential flair, U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Argentina’s soccer icon Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates to the White House on Thursday to celebrate their historic 2025 MLS Cup championship. The ceremony marked the first time an American president has hosted the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, highlighting Messi’s transformative impact on Major League Soccer since joining Inter Miami in 2023.

Inter Miami clinched their maiden MLS Cup title in December 2025 with a commanding 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps, capping a dominant season where Messi earned his second consecutive league MVP award. The team, led by Messi alongside stars like Luis Suárez and under coach Javier Mascherano, presented Trump with symbolic gifts: a custom pink Inter Miami jersey emblazoned with “TRUMP 47” on the back, a bejeweled commemorative soccer ball inscribed with messages of support, and other mementos from their championship run.

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Trump, flanked by team owner Jorge Mas and Messi, opened the proceedings with brief remarks on ongoing U.S. military operations before pivoting to praise the squad. “We’re thrilled to host the 2025 MLS Cup Champions, Inter Miami. Great job!” he declared, drawing applause from the room filled with players, staff, MLS officials, and guests. In his signature style, Trump quipped, “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 Messi!”

The president highlighted Messi’s arrival as a game-changer for American soccer. “Leo, you came in and you won, and that’s something very hard to do,” Trump said, crediting the Argentine superstar for elevating the league’s profile ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the U.S. He playfully posed the eternal debate: “Who’s better, him or Pelé?”—prompting laughter and smiles from Messi, who stood quietly but visibly amused beside the podium.

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Messi, ever the picture of humility, shook hands warmly with Trump after the introduction and participated in the gift exchange. The team posed for photos with the MLS Cup trophy prominently displayed, a gleaming symbol of their breakthrough achievement. Trump noted his son Barron’s admiration for Messi, mentioning the teen’s fandom and even referencing Cristiano Ronaldo in passing, eliciting a subtle reaction from the typically reserved Messi.

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The event underscored Inter Miami’s meteoric rise under Messi’s influence, turning a once-struggling franchise into champions and boosting MLS attendance and global interest. Mas, the club’s managing owner, expressed gratitude for the recognition, calling it a “profound privilege” for the team and the sport.

While the ceremony was celebratory, it occurred against the backdrop of international tensions, with Trump briefly updating attendees on developments in the Middle East before focusing on the athletes. Critics noted the unusual timing, but supporters hailed it as a moment of national pride in sports excellence.

As Messi and his teammates departed the White House, the visit cemented a unique chapter in U.S.-soccer history—one where the world’s greatest player received a presidential welcome on American soil. For Inter Miami, the honor caps a dream sea