WASHINGTON – Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates received a unique honor on Thursday, being welcomed to the White House by President Donald Trump to celebrate their 2025 MLS Cup victory. However, the celebratory atmosphere was punctuated by a series of unexpected and at times jarring remarks from the President, shifting the focus from the team’s sporting achievement to broader political and geopolitical issues. The visit, which took place on March 5, 2026, offered a rare intersection of the sporting world and American politics, but left many observers questioning the appropriateness of the setting for Trump’s comments.
The tradition of recognizing championship teams at the White House is a long-standing one, with winners from leagues like the NBA and NFL routinely invited. Inter Miami’s invitation followed their 3-1 defeat of the Vancouver Whitecaps on December 6, 2025, securing their first MLS Cup title. Messi, who joined the club in July 2023, presented Trump with a signature Miami pink soccer ball, although team co-owner Jorge Mas and head coach Javier Mascherano gifted the President a jersey and a watch. The event marked Messi’s first White House visit.
A Disjointed Address
President Trump began his remarks by acknowledging the team’s accomplishment, praising Messi’s record-breaking career. “Leo has won the 47th trophy of his incredible career, an absolute record. You could have gone anywhere in the world, any team, and you chose Miami. I just want to thank you for taking us all on this ride,” he said, according to reports. However, the congratulatory tone quickly veered into unrelated territory. Without transition, Trump addressed the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“The American military, in collaboration with its wonderful Israeli partners, continues to totally demolish the enemy, at a level never seen before. We are destroying Iranian missiles,” Trump stated. This unexpected shift in subject matter drew surprise from many in attendance, including journalists covering the event. The Guardian noted the jarring contrast between the celebratory setting and the President’s discussion of military operations, observing that his language echoed previous statements about conflict zones. The newspaper pointed out the disconnect between the platitudes typically offered to visiting teams and the gravity of the situation in the Middle East.
Comparisons and Unsolicited Opinions
The President’s remarks continued to wander, eventually circling back to Messi and then, surprisingly, to Cristiano Ronaldo. Trump recounted a conversation with his son, Barron, about the visit. “My son (Barron) said, ‘Dad, do you realize who’s going to be here today?’ I said, ‘No, I’ve got a lot of things going on.’ He said, ‘Messi!’ He’s a big fan, he’s a fan of yours, he thinks you’re a great person and I think you met a little while ago. He’s a big soccer fan, but he’s mostly a big fan of you and a gentleman named Ronaldo. We received Cristiano here… It’s incredible to have great champions, people who love what they do and do it well,” Trump said.
He then posed a question to Messi directly: “Maybe you’re better than Pelé. Pelé was extremely good. Who is the best? Pelé or Messi? Messi? I agree, but Pelé was strong too. Soccer didn’t take off back then, but Pelé was special.” This unsolicited comparison sparked further discussion, highlighting the ongoing debate about the greatest soccer player of all time.
An Awkward Exchange
Adding to the unusual atmosphere, Trump engaged in a series of comments while greeting individual Inter Miami players. He remarked on the appearance of Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, stating, “Beautiful goals from one of the greatest goalscorers in history, Luis Suarez. Where is he? They’re all handsome. I don’t like handsome men,” before asking, “Rodrigo De Paul. Where is Rodrigo? Do you have any ugly players?” These remarks elicited laughter from some in the room, but were similarly noted by The Guardian as further evidence of the President using the team’s visit as a backdrop for his own personal observations.
According to The Guardian, it took President Trump nine minutes and 43 seconds to explain the purpose of the event, with Messi and Inter Miami serving as a backdrop for his remarks. The visit, while intended as a celebration of the team’s achievement, ultimately became a talking point for the President’s unconventional and often unpredictable style of communication.
The Inter Miami team’s visit to the White House, intended as a moment of national recognition, was undeniably overshadowed by the President’s digressions. While the team celebrated a historic victory, the event served as a reminder of the increasingly blurred lines between sports and politics in the current American landscape.
Inter Miami will return to MLS action on March 14, 2026, against Orlando City SC at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM EST (11:30 PM UTC). Fans can follow updates and coverage on the MLS website and through official team channels.
