U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami CF teammates to the White House on Thursday, celebrating the club’s Major League Soccer Cup triumph while delivering a characteristically light-hearted speech.
During the ceremony in Washington, Trump admitted he had not realised that Messi would be attending the event until his son pointed it out to him. The president joked that he had been preoccupied with other matters, saying he had “a lot of things going on”.
Trump then formally greeted the Argentine star, widely regarded as one of football’s greatest players.
“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,” Trump said.
Messi captained Inter Miami to the 2025 MLS Cup, cementing his impact on the rapidly growing football scene in the United States. Trump praised the Argentine forward, noting that he could have played anywhere in the world but chose to continue his career in Miami.
“Leo is the reigning World Cup MVP. You could have gone anywhere in the world and chosen any team, but you chose Miami,” Trump said. “I don’t blame you — the weather is extremely good.”
The president also acknowledged Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano and referenced several legendary figures in the sport, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazilian icon Pelé.
As the team lined up behind him in the East Room of the White House, Trump jokingly complimented their appearance. Pausing while scanning the squad, he singled out Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul before remarking on the team’s looks.
“Do you have any bad-looking players?” Trump asked, drawing laughter from the audience before adding jokingly that he did not like “good-looking men” because they made others feel worse about themselves.
Inter Miami presented the president with a jersey bearing the number 47 — a reference to Trump serving as the 47th U.S. president — along with a football and a watch in the club’s signature pink colour.
Looking ahead, Trump also mentioned two major sporting events approaching in the United States, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico across 16 cities from 11 June to 19 July. The expanded tournament will feature 48 teams for the first time.
Messi arrives at the tournament as the captain of reigning world champions Argentina national football team and as an eight-time winner of the Ballon d’Or.
The Argentine forward had previously been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by former U.S. President Joe Biden in January 2025 but was unable to attend the ceremony because of scheduling commitments.
