Lionel Messi arrives at the White House after winning the MLS

The image looked like something out of a movie: Lionel Messi, captain of Inter Miami, walking into the White House alongside his teammates. The Argentine superstar became the main attraction of a ceremony organized to honor the Florida club after winning the 2025 MLS Cup, a historic title for the franchise.

The event brought together several members of the squad, including stars such as Luis Suárez, Rodrigo De Paul, and head coach Javier Mascherano, who were part of the delegation visiting Washington.

Donald Trump himself opened the ceremony by highlighting the team’s achievement. “It’s a great privilege for me to say something that no president has had the chance to say before: welcome to the White House, Lionel Messi,” he said during his speech in front of the Inter Miami squad.

Trump surprised by Messi’s visit

One of the most talked-about moments of the event came when the U.S. president admitted that he didn’t know Messi would attend the meeting until just hours before it began. According to his own story, it was his son Barron Trump who informed him about the Argentine footballer’s presence.

“My son said, ‘Dad, do you know who’s coming today?’ I told him I didn’t. Then he said: ‘Messi!’,” he joked in front of the audience.

The anecdote created a light-hearted atmosphere and highlighted the impact the football icon has even among those who may not closely follow the sport. Trump also mentioned that his son is a big fan of the Argentine captain, which sparked smiles among the Inter Miami players.

During his remarks, the president also praised the legendary career of the Rosario-born star, emphasizing the impact he has had since joining Major League Soccer.

“You came and you won. That’s very difficult to do,” he told Messi directly, highlighting the achievement of winning the title under immense media pressure.

Jokes, praise and a viral moment with Inter Miami

The ceremony also produced several colorful moments that quickly circulated across social media. In one of them, Trump looked at the Inter Miami squad standing behind him and made a playful remark about the team.

“Do you have any unattractive players?” he joked while looking at the lineup of footballers, prompting laughter from those present.

He also gave special mentions to Rodrigo De Paul, whom he pointed out during his speech, and praised head coach Javier Mascherano, calling him “a great coach.”

Additionally, the president referenced legendary football figures such as Pelé and Cristiano Ronaldo, while emphasizing Messi’s influence on the growth of the sport in the United States.

The most symbolic moment came when Messi and the club’s executives presented Trump with an Inter Miami jersey featuring the number 47, along with a commemorative soccer ball and a pink-colored watch representing the club’s signature colors.

Messi’s global impact on soccer in the United States

Since his arrival in MLS, the Florida club has become one of the most talked-about teams in world football. The Argentine star’s presence has dramatically increased television audiences, boosted the club’s commercial value, and drawn global attention to the league.

Trump also referred to this influence during the event, noting that Messi could have chosen any team in the world but decided to commit to the Miami project.

“You could have gone anywhere in the world, but you chose Miami,” he said during his speech.

WATCH beIN SPORTS XTRA LIVE FOR FREE ON YOUTUBE