Donald Trump honours Messi and Inter Miami at the White House | OneFootball

With Lionel Messi as the main attraction, the entire Inter Miami squad, champions of the MLS Cup, was honored this Thursday by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, who hosted a lively reception at the White House.

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In a formal yet lively ceremony, animated by Trump’s jokes, who was joined at the podium by captain Messi and Jorge Mas, co-owner of the Florida club, about thirty team members were recognized for their historic 2025 campaign, the year they won their first title in the North American league.

“My son said to me: ‘Dad, do you know who’s coming today?’ I said: ‘No, I don’t. I’m very busy.’ He said: ‘Messi!’” joked the American president as he opened the event, which was preceded by an update on the war operations in Iran.

“My son is a big fan of your soccer and of a gentleman named Ronaldo. Cristiano is great and you are both great champions and athletes in your sport,” Trump said to a visibly nervous Messi.

The president, whose favorite sports do not include soccer, recalled Inter Miami’s campaign up to their victory in last December’s final against the Vancouver Whitecaps.

He highlighted the team’s participation in the FIFA Club World Cup, held in the United States in mid-2025, when the Florida club won its first official match against a European rival, Porto.

Trump even took the time to describe the free-kick goal by the Argentine star in that tournament, which secured the team’s victory in that match.

“Could I do that if I tried?” he asked Mas, the main owner of the franchise, which also belongs to former English player David Beckham.

During his speech, Trump praised Messi as “a winner” and said that, although he had seen Pelé play, he believes the Argentine “is better.”

He also highlighted the fact that Messi, 38, was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) for two consecutive seasons, a record in the MLS.

“Leo, you came and you won. There’s much more pressure on you than anyone imagines, because you’re expected to win,” said Trump.

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Jersey 47

The Argentine star has distanced himself over the years from events with political connotations.

In January 2025, he did not attend the ceremony in which then-president Joe Biden, from the Democratic Party, awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the highest civilian honors in the United States.

During his series of compliments to Inter Miami, Trump also personally greeted other Argentines, such as Javier Mascherano, whom he called “a great coach,” and players Tadeo Allende and Rodrigo De Paul.

He also congratulated Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez for being “one of the greatest scorers of all time” and joked with Secretary of State Marco Rubio about the fact that all the Inter players are attractive.

“Do they have any player who isn’t attractive?” asked the Republican leader, whose country will co-host the 2026 World Cup with Mexico and Canada.

At the end of the ceremony, Jorge Mas and Messi presented Trump with a jersey with the number 47 (he is the 47th president of the United States) and a commemorative ball.

The team’s visit, which ended in the Oval Office, served as a special stop before the match that Inter Miami will play on Sunday against DC United, for the third round of the MLS season.

*With content from AFP

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.