Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published Friday, 06 March 2026, 08:21 / Updated Friday, 06 March 2026 08:22
Lionel Messi and his teammates from Inter Miami were welcomed to the White House by the President of the United States, Donald Trump.
The event is part of a deeply rooted tradition in American sports: celebrating athletes or teams that have distinguished themselves through athletic achievement and cultural impact. And Inter Miami won the MLS Cup in 2025.
As expected, all attention turned to Lionel Messi, not only the symbol of Inter Miami, but also one of the most influential figures in the history of world football.
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami praised by Donald Trump
The ceremony followed a precise protocol. Mascherano's team was greeted by officials, guests and journalists. Soon after, Trump, club owner Jorge Mas, and Messi entered the gym.
Donald Trump shows the number 47 shirt / Photo: Imago
The three walked together to the podium, to the applause of those present. In his speech, Trump talked about the development of soccer in the United States and the impact that the arrival of big international stars has had on Major League Soccer.
The president then praised Inter Miami for its increasingly central role in the American soccer landscape, highlighting the enormous media attention generated by the arrival of the Argentine world champion.
Donald Trump: “Who is better: Messi or Pele?”
The most curious moment came right in the middle of the speech. Recalling his admiration for Pele, Trump joked with the audience, asking: “Who is better: Messi or Pele?”. The answer? A large part of the hall shouted “Messi!”.
The Argentina captain presented Trump with a pink ball and Inter Miami's jersey of the same color, number 47, because he is the 47th president of the United States.
Donald Trump, the first American president to welcome Lionel Messi to the White House
The type who wants to stay away from anything that means politics, Messi had in January 2025 refused the invitation of the previous head of state, Joe Biden, who wanted to give him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the USA.
Trump now took the opportunity to boast that he, of all people, was able to receive the famous Argentinian player: “It is a special honor for me to be able to say what no other American president has been able to do before: «Welcome to the White House, Lionel Messi””.
