Washington, D.C. – March 6, 2026
Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates visited the White House on Friday to commemorate the club’s historic first Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup triumph, meeting United States President Donald Trump in a ceremonial reception that blended sports celebration with brief remarks on national and international affairs.
The invitation came ahead of Inter Miami’s scheduled MLS regular-season match against D.C. United in Washington on Saturday. Inter Miami lifted the MLS Cup for the first time in club history on December 7, 2025, defeating LAFC 2-1 in extra time at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio. Messi scored the decisive goal in the 118th minute, capping a remarkable debut full season with the club after joining in mid-2023.
Co-owned by former England captain David Beckham and co-investors including Jorge and José Mas, Inter Miami hosted the traditional championship celebration at the White House. The team, dressed in club tracksuits and championship gear, gathered on the South Lawn stage as President Trump addressed media and guests.
Trump, speaking after providing a short update on the ongoing U.S. and Israeli military operations against Iran, shifted focus to the visitors.
“My son [Barron] 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!’ He’s a big fan of yours. He thinks you’re a great person, and I think you got to meet a little while ago,” Trump recounted, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Directing his remarks to the 38-year-old Argentine icon, Trump praised Messi’s decision to join MLS.
“Leo claimed the 47th trophy of his incredible career — the most of all time,” the president said. “You could have gone anywhere in the world, any team in the world, and you chose Miami. I just want to thank you for bringing us all on this ride.”
In a light-hearted aside, Trump added: “I shouldn’t say this because I’m old, but I watched Pelé play. I don’t know, you may be better than Pelé. Pelé was pretty good.”
Messi, who signed a new contract with Inter Miami in October 2025 extending his stay through the 2028 season, has become the face of the league’s global growth. He became the first player in MLS history to win the league MVP award in consecutive seasons (2024 and 2025), leading Inter Miami to the Supporters’ Shield (best regular-season record) and the MLS Cup in successive years.
The Argentine forward, who turns 39 in June, has scored 34 goals and provided 20 assists in 38 MLS appearances since joining the club, while also guiding Argentina to the 2024 Copa América title and maintaining his status as one of the most decorated players in football history.
Trump presented the team with a commemorative White House plaque and posed for photographs with Messi, Beckham, head coach Tata Martino, and the full squad. The president also briefly greeted other notable attendees, including club investors and select MLS officials.
The visit underscores the growing profile of Major League Soccer in the United States, particularly since Messi’s arrival, which has driven record attendance, sponsorship revenue, and international viewership. Inter Miami’s 2025 championship is widely regarded as a landmark moment for the league, validating its strategy of attracting global superstars.
Following the White House event, Messi and his teammates prepared for Saturday’s match against D.C. United at Audi Field, where they will look to maintain their strong start to the 2026 MLS season.
The Argentine captain has not yet commented publicly on the White House visit, though club social media channels shared images of the reception, captioning one: “Honored to celebrate with the President. On to the next chapter. #InterMiami #MLSCupChamps”
The ceremony occurred against the backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions, with Trump briefly addressing the ongoing U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran before turning to the sports celebration. No major policy announcements related to football or MLS were made during the event.
