United States President Donald Trump extended a warm reception to Argentine soccer star Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates at the White House, marking their 2025 Major League Soccer Cup championship with reflections on the sport’s growth in America and a nod to past icons.
The event unfolded on Thursday, March 5, 2026, in the East Room of the White House, where Trump was flanked by Messi, Inter Miami players, coach Javier Mascherano, and team co-owner Jorge Mas. Proceedings began with Trump’s remarks on military actions in the Middle East before shifting to the team’s accomplishments in 2025 and reminiscences about Brazilian legend Pele’s influential period with the New York Cosmos in the 1970s.
“I shouldn’t say this because I’m old, but I watched Pele play,” Trump said. “I don’t know, you (Messi) may be better than Pele. Pele was pretty good.”
The players presented gifts to Trump, including a No. 47 jersey from the team’s signature pink kit, symbolizing his position as the nation’s 47th president.
Trump offered shout-outs to Miami’s Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, rising star Tadeo Allende, and Rodrigo De Paul, while including a subtle reference to former president Joe Biden. “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,” Trump said, alluding to Messi’s absence from a January 2025 ceremony where Biden awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
“I’ve seen a lot of great players come into the world of sports,” Trump said. “They come to the Yankees or they come to the Dodgers… and there’s such a clamour. Everything’s great, but they don’t win. This guy won,” he added, gesturing toward Messi.
“Leo, you came in and you won. There’s a lot more pressure put on you than anyone would know because you’re sort of expected to win,” Trump continued.
Trump highlighted Miami’s 2025 achievements, including their 3-1 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup final and a 2-1 win against Portuguese side Porto in the Club World Cup, which represented the first instance of a North American team defeating a European club in official competition.
In response, Jorge Mas, the son of Cuban immigrants and Inter Miami co-owner, attributed the team’s rise since its 2020 inaugural season to a philosophy emphasizing hard work and aspiration. “If you work hard and you sacrifice and you dream, it can be possible,” Mas said.
Inter Miami’s global success is “not only because of Lionel Messi, but these men standing behind you have changed the culture of football in the United States of America forever,” Mas added. “We can play with the big boys.”
The White House visit aligns with a longstanding tradition in American sports, where championship teams are honored by the president. Records from Major League Soccer indicate that D.C. United was the first MLS team to visit the White House in 1998 following their Cup triumph, while the LA Galaxy attended multiple times under President Barack Obama after wins in 2011, 2012, and 2014. Other teams, such as Columbus Crew after their 2008 and 2023 titles, and Sporting Kansas City following their 2013 victory, have also been hosted. Inter Miami’s invitation continues this practice, with co-owner David Beckham having previously visited as part of the LA Galaxy in 2012.
Pele’s tenure with the New York Cosmos from 1975 to 1977 played a pivotal role in elevating soccer’s profile in the United States. Joining the North American Soccer League team after retiring from Santos in Brazil, Pele brought international credibility, sparking a boom in attendance and media interest. The Cosmos, backed by Warner Communications, drew crowds exceeding 40,000 at Giants Stadium, and Pele’s presence helped transform the sport from a marginal activity to a mainstream pursuit, laying groundwork for future growth. During his three seasons, Pele scored 66 goals in 107 appearances, leading the team to the 1977 NASL championship and inspiring a “sporting revolution” across North America.
Inter Miami CF, officially Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami, was founded on January 29, 2018, as Major League Soccer’s 25th franchise, with Beckham as a key co-owner exercising an option from his 2007 LA Galaxy contract. The club began play in 2020 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, embracing a multicultural identity reflective of Miami’s diversity. Early years saw challenges, including limited success and infrastructure hurdles, but the team’s philosophy of ambition propelled rapid progress.
Messi’s arrival in mid-2023 marked a transformative era for Inter Miami. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner contributed 20 goals and 16 assists in 19 league matches during his debut 2024 season, earning the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award. In 2025, he elevated his performance with 29 goals and 19 assists in 28 regular-season games, securing back-to-back MVP honors and guiding the team to their first MLS Cup. By early 2026, Messi’s MLS tally reached 51 goals in 55 career matches, underscoring his enduring impact.
The Club World Cup victory over Porto holds particular significance, as no North American team had previously defeated a European side in official competition within the tournament’s framework. The FIFA Club World Cup, evolving from the 2000 pilot edition in Brazil, has seen European clubs dominate, with Real Madrid holding a record five titles. North American clubs’ best prior showings include Mexican teams like Tigres UANL finishing as runners-up in 2020, and Seattle Sounders FC participating in 2022 and 2025. Inter Miami’s achievement in the expanded 32-team 2025 format, hosted in the United States, highlights a milestone for CONCACAF representatives.
As soccer continues to gain traction in the US, events like this White House ceremony underscore the sport’s integration into national culture, building on legacies from Pele to contemporary stars like Messi.
