Argentine football legend Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates were welcomed to the White House on Thursday, where U.S. President Donald Trump honored them for winning the 2025 MLS Cup.
Messi stood alongside his teammates, head coach Javier Mascherano, and club co-owner Jorge Mas during the ceremony. Trump initially referenced ongoing military developments in the Middle East before turning his attention to Inter Miami’s remarkable season.
The president also reminisced about Brazilian football icon Pele and his influence on the growth of soccer in the United States during his time with the New York Cosmos in the 1970s.
“I may be showing my age, but I remember watching Pele play,” Trump said. “You might even be better than Pele. But Pele was truly special.”
As a gesture of appreciation, the Inter Miami squad presented Trump with a pink No. 47 team jersey, symbolizing his role as the 47th president of the United States.
Trump also praised several Miami players, including Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, and rising talent Tadeo Allende. He noted the pressure placed on global stars like Messi to deliver success and applauded the Argentine captain for leading the club to major victories.
“Great players often arrive with huge expectations, but they don’t always win,” Trump remarked. “Leo came here and he delivered.”
Trump highlighted Inter Miami’s achievements during the 2025 season, including their 3–1 win against the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup final. He also mentioned their historic 2–1 victory over Portuguese club Porto in the Club World Cup — the first time a North American team defeated a European side in an official match.
During the ceremony, club co-owner Jorge Mas reflected on the team’s rapid rise since its launch in 2020. The son of Cuban immigrants said the club’s journey represents the power of hard work, sacrifice, and ambition.
Mas emphasized that Miami’s success goes beyond Messi alone, crediting the entire squad for helping transform soccer culture in the United States.
“These players standing here have changed the culture of football in America,” Mas said. “They’ve shown that we can compete with the best teams in the world.”
