President Donald Trump welcomed global soccer icon Lionel Messi and the MLS Cup–winning Inter Miami squad to the White House on Thursday, celebrating the club’s historic championship and the growing prominence of professional soccer in the United States.
The event, held in the East Room, marked the first White House appearance for Messi since he joined Inter Miami in July 2023 and one of the most high-profile visits by a Major League Soccer team in recent years.
Messi entered the ceremony alongside President Trump and Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas as teammates assembled behind them on a stage arranged for the celebration.
The Argentine superstar presented Trump with a pink Inter Miami soccer ball bearing his signature, while Mas and head coach Javier Mascherano offered additional gifts that included a pink team jersey and a limited-edition watch engraved with the president’s name.
Standing beside Messi and Mas, Trump praised the team’s success while acknowledging the unprecedented moment.
“We’re honoring truly talented people,” Trump said during the ceremony. “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 also referenced his son Barron’s admiration for the soccer legend.
“My son said, ‘Dad, do you know who’s going to be there today?’ I said, ‘No, I’ve got a lot of things going on.’ He said, ‘Messi,’” Trump told attendees. “He’s a big fan of yours. He thinks you’re a great person.”
Messi stood nearby and smiled as Trump spoke about his influence on young fans in the United States and around the world.
Celebrating an MLS milestone
Inter Miami earned the White House invitation after winning the 2025 MLS Cup, defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3–1 on Dec. 6 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The victory marked the first championship in the club’s brief history, capping a rapid ascent since Inter Miami began play in Major League Soccer in 2020.
Co-owner Jorge Mas used the ceremony to reflect on the club’s journey.
“This championship was very well deserved,” Mas said. “You’re looking at one of the best teams on the face of the earth standing behind us. This became possible because we dared to dream.”
Mas described Inter Miami’s ambition to expand the reach of Major League Soccer globally while strengthening the league’s competitive stature.
“It’s our aspiration to continue breaking barriers and ensuring Major League Soccer and Inter Miami are considered among the elite in global football,” he said.
Following the ceremony, Trump invited Messi and the team into the Oval Office, describing it as “the center of the world.”
Part of a long American tradition
The White House event follows a longstanding tradition in American sports in which championship teams visit the president to commemorate their victory.
Major League Soccer clubs have occasionally participated in these ceremonies since the league’s early years.
D.C. United became the first MLS team to attend a White House celebration in 1998 after winning the league title. The LA Galaxy later visited multiple times following championships in 2011, 2012 and 2014.
More recently, the Columbus Crew traveled to Washington in 2024 to celebrate their 2023 MLS Cup victory with then-President Joe Biden.
Thursday’s ceremony represented the first MLS champion visit during Trump’s current presidency.
Messi’s first White House appearance
Despite his long and decorated career, Messi had never previously attended a White House event.
Earlier in 2025, the Argentine forward was invited by the Biden administration to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom but could not attend due to scheduling conflicts during Inter Miami’s offseason.
In a statement released at the time, Inter Miami said Messi conveyed appreciation for the recognition.
“Messi communicated to the White House ahead of the event that he is deeply honored, and it is a profound privilege to receive this recognition,” the club said. “However, due to a scheduling conflict and prior commitments, he was unable to attend.”
Thursday’s ceremony therefore marked Messi’s first time inside the White House.
A moment before the next match
Inter Miami traveled to Washington early Thursday morning, taking advantage of a break in their schedule before facing D.C. United in Baltimore on Saturday.
Midfielder Telasco Segovia said earlier in the week that the team viewed the visit as an important milestone.
“We are going because we are champions from last season,” Segovia said. “I don’t get involved with politics, but I know it’s an important occasion.”
Players, staff members and club officials gathered in the East Room as guests mingled before the ceremony began.
Among those seen at the event were Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. MLS Commissioner Don Garber also attended.
Former baseball star Alex Rodriguez joined a small group of officials in conversation before the ceremony, while Attorney General Pam Bondi and other cabinet members later posed for photographs with the team.
Trump jokes with players during ceremony
During his remarks, Trump shared lighthearted comments about several Inter Miami players who played key roles in the championship season.
At one point he referenced midfielder Rodrigo De Paul’s performance during the MLS Cup final.
“Where the hell is Rodrigo?” Trump joked, prompting laughter as De Paul shook the president’s hand.
Trump also teased the team about their celebratory style following victories.
“What a group of people. We could have a lot of fun with these guys,” he said. “You can imagine how they celebrate.”
The president also briefly revisited a longstanding soccer debate involving Brazilian legend Pelé and Messi.
“I don’t know — you may be better,” Trump said as he turned toward the team. “I think he is.”
The White House appearance comes as the United States prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico.
The tournament is expected to draw unprecedented global attention to soccer in North America.
Trump has recently hosted several prominent figures from the international soccer community, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
Cristiano Ronaldo — widely regarded as Messi’s longtime rival — also attended a White House dinner last November when Trump hosted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
If Messi competes in the 2026 tournament with Argentina, it would likely be his final World Cup appearance.
Messi’s visit highlights soccer’s growing influence in the U.S.
Messi’s presence at the White House underscores how dramatically the profile of Major League Soccer has risen in recent years.
For decades, soccer occupied a secondary place in the American sports landscape behind leagues such as the NFL, NBA and MLB. However, Messi’s arrival in Miami in 2023 transformed that dynamic almost immediately.
Ticket demand surged, television audiences expanded and global media attention followed the Argentine star’s performances in MLS.
Inter Miami’s championship run further amplified that momentum, offering the league its most recognizable international figure leading a title-winning team.
From a political standpoint, the White House ceremony also reflects how soccer has become an increasingly valuable cultural bridge. Leaders frequently leverage high-profile athletes and teams to highlight American engagement with global sports audiences.
With the 2026 World Cup approaching, such symbolism carries strategic importance. The United States will soon host the world’s most-watched sporting event, making soccer diplomacy — whether through athletes, league officials or international federations — a growing feature of American public life.
Messi’s appearance at the White House therefore represented more than a championship celebration. It served as a reminder that global soccer has firmly established itself within the American sports and cultural mainstream.
USAToday/ESPN
