Lionel Messi received recognition from President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday, as the Argentine star and his Inter Miami team were celebrated for winning the MLS Cup last year.
The president stated, “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 shared that his 19-year-old son Barron is a fan of Messi. He recalled their conversation, saying, “My son asked, ‘Dad, do you know who’s going to be there today?’ I replied, ‘No, I have a lot going on.’ He said, ‘Messi!’ He’s a big fan of yours and thinks you’re a great person. And I think you met recently. He’s a huge soccer fan and a big fan of you and Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi’s longtime competitor, was at a White House event with Trump the previous year.
About Messi’s influence on Inter Miami, Trump remarked, “This guy won. There was tremendous excitement, and he succeeded. Leo, you came in and won under pressure.”
Merging soccer history into his remarks, Trump hinted to Messi, “You might be better than Pele,” and asked the audience, “Who’s better?”
The president commented on the Inter Miami team, saying, “What a group of people. We could have a lot of fun with them. You can imagine how they celebrate.”
Trump highlighted Rodrigo De Paul, the Argentine midfielder who scored the crucial goal in Miami’s 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup final. He playfully asked, “Where the hell is Rodrigo?” which made De Paul blush.
Trump added, “Do you have any bad-looking players? I prefer the bad-looking players.”
Messi presented Trump with a pink signed Inter Miami soccer ball, while club co-owner Jorge Mas and coach Javier Mascherano gave the president a team jersey and watch.
Mas stated, “We aspire to keep breaking barriers and pushing limits, ensuring Major League Soccer and Inter Miami are recognized among the elite in global football.”