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Lionel Messi and his team, Inter Miami, were honored by President Trump.
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Miami won the Major League Soccer title against the Vancouver Whitecaps in December.
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Messi, who has won the Ballon d’Or eight times, led Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup.
During a White House ceremony recognizing Inter Miami’s MLS Cup win, Lionel Messi presented President Donald Trump with a decorated pink soccer ball.
Inter Miami defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps for the league title, and Messi was named league MVP for the second year in a row.
“Leo, you came in and you won, and that’s hard to do. There’s a lot of pressure on you because you’re expected to win, but almost nobody does,” Trump commented.
Messi arrived at the event with Trump and did not speak, as the discussion shifted to political topics, including tensions with Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba.
Directing his remarks to Messi, who typically stays out of politics, Trump focused more on sports.
“You could have chosen any team in the world, and you picked Miami. I don’t blame you. The weather is great. Do you play golf at Doral?” Trump added, referring to his golf course. “Thank you for bringing us along on this journey because you are talented and a great person.”
Other Inter Miami players present included Luis Suárez, Tadeo Allende, and Rodrigo De Paul. MLS Commissioner Don Garber was there as well, alongside Andrew Giuliani, who leads the White House’s World Cup task force. Retired baseball player Alex Rodriguez also attended, along with Trump’s cabinet members.
Inter Miami was the first MLS team to visit the White House during Trump’s presidency.
Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who led Argentina to the World Cup title, is expected to represent Argentina again this summer when the tournament takes place in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
The World Cup has faced scrutiny due to recent events, including relations with Iran and instability in Mexico following the death of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera.
Iran is one of the 48 teams that will compete in the World Cup, with matches set in Southern California and Seattle.
Trump began the ceremony by discussing issues with Iran but did not mention the World Cup specifics.
Following recent military actions, Iran’s football official, Mehdi Taj, stated they could not approach the World Cup with optimism.
“I don’t care” if Iran plays, Trump told Politico. “Iran is a defeated country. They’re running on fumes.”
It’s uncertain what would occur if Iran withdrew from the World Cup, as no team has done so in the last 75 years.
The World Cup is set to begin on June 11 with Mexico facing South Africa in Mexico City.
During the ceremony, Trump reminisced about watching Brazilian star Pele play and remarked to Messi, “You may be better than Pele.” He asked the audience, “Who’s better?”
Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas said the team has transformed U.S. football culture. “We can compete with the best leagues in the world. This ability to dream and overcome obstacles will lead to our success,” he said, hopeful for more visits to the White House in the future to celebrate championships.
This marked Messi’s first visit to the White House. He was invited by the Biden administration to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom in January 2025, but could not attend due to scheduling conflicts.
Inter Miami is set to stay in the area for a match against D.C. United on Saturday.