Historic photos of Trump welcoming Messi at the White House to celebrate Inter Miami's MLS Cup victory in 2025.
On 6 Mar 2026 GMT+7, Lionel Messi, the star Argentine footballer, led Inter Miami to visit the White House on Thursday, 5 Mar 2026 GMT+7, after U.S. President Donald Trump invited the 2025 MLS Cup champions to a victory celebration.
Messi and Jorge Mas, co-owner of Inter Miami, presented President Donald Trump with a pink soccer ball signed by the team, a pink No. 47 jersey with "TRUMP" printed on the back, and a watch from Mas and Javier Mascherano as gifts to the U.S. leader.
Trump opened the event proudly, saying, "It is a great honor to say something no American president has ever said before: Welcome to the White House, Lionel Messi!"
Trump also praised the Argentine star, stating, "Leo, you arrived and immediately won the championship, which is incredibly difficult and unbelievable. Honestly, you carry more pressure than anyone realizes because everyone expects you to win, yet almost no one does."
This was Lionel Messi's first visit to the White House. Previously, he had been invited by Joe Biden earlier in 2025 to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom but missed the opportunity due to scheduling conflicts.
On stage, Trump mentioned Brazilian football legend Pelé, recalling watching him play for the New York Cosmos and then asked the audience, "Who is better, Messi or Pelé?"
The event was attended by club stars including Luis Suárez, Tadeo Allende, and Rodrigo De Paul, along with former baseball star Alex Rodriguez and several ministers from the Trump administration.
In the 2025 season, Messi scored 29 goals and made 16 assists in 28 matches, earning the top scorer and MVP awards for the second consecutive year, before leading Inter Miami to their first-ever MLS Cup championship by defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 on 6 Dec 2025 GMT+7.
