Argentina’s Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates were received at the White House by US President Donald Trump on Thursday to celebrate the club’s 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup victory. The event highlighted Miami’s achievements on the national and international stage.
Messi led the team alongside coach Javier Mascherano and co-owner Jorge Mas as they gathered with Trump in the East Room. The president opened with remarks touching on global affairs before turning attention to Miami’s sporting accomplishments.
Trump referenced the legacy of Brazilian legend Pele with the New York Cosmos, comparing past and present soccer excellence in the United States. “I’ve watched Pele play,” Trump said. “You may even be better, Lionel.”
The Inter Miami squad presented Trump with a No. 47 jersey, a nod to his role as the nation’s 47th president. Trump acknowledged individual contributions from players including Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, and emerging talent Tadeo Allende.
Trump highlighted the team’s 3-1 win over Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup final and their historic 2-1 victory against Portuguese side Porto in the Club World Cup, marking the first time a North American club defeated a European team in official competition.
Mas credited the club’s rapid rise since its 2020 debut to dedication, hard work, and ambition. “Our success is not only because of Lionel Messi, but these men standing behind him have changed football culture in the United States forever,” Mas said.
The White House event underscored the growing influence of soccer in the US and Inter Miami’s expanding international profile, positioning the club as a competitive force in both domestic and global competitions.
