Sports
Lionel Messi visits White House after MLS Cup victory, praised by Trump
Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates visited the White House on Thursday as guests of US President Donald Trump, celebrating the club’s Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup triumph from December.
The MLS Cup win marked the 48th team trophy of Messi’s career, spanning his achievements with both club and country. During the meeting, Trump praised Messi’s illustrious record, suggesting the Argentine “may be greater than Pele.”
“You could have gone anywhere in the world, any team in the world, and you chose Miami. I just want to thank you for bringing us all on this ride,” Trump said.
“I shouldn’t say this because I’m old, but I watched Pele play. I don’t know, you may be better than Pele. Pele was pretty good.”
Trump described welcoming Messi to the White House as a “distinct privilege” that “no American president has ever had the chance to say before.”
The visit follows a similar occasion in November 2025, when the US President hosted Cristiano Ronaldo at the White House.

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