Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami CF teammates were honored at the White House on Thursday by Donald Trump following the club’s victory in the MLS Cup last season.
The Major League Soccer champions secured the title after defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, with Messi playing a pivotal role throughout the campaign. The Argentine superstar was also named the league’s Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive season, further cementing his influence on the rapidly growing soccer scene in the United States.
White House Recognition for MLS Champions
During the ceremony, Trump praised Messi’s impact on American soccer and the pressure that came with his arrival in the league.
“Leo, you came in and you won, and that’s something very hard to do, very unusual,” Trump said. “There’s a lot more pressure put on you than anyone would know because you’re expected to win, but almost nobody wins.”
Messi entered the event alongside the U.S. president but did not deliver remarks during the ceremony.
Several prominent figures from the club and the broader sports world attended the event, including Inter Miami forward Luis Suárez, midfielders Tadeo Allende and Rodrigo De Paul, and Don Garber, the commissioner of Major League Soccer.
Also present were former baseball star Alex Rodriguez and Andrew Giuliani, who heads the White House task force responsible for preparations for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The visit marked the first time an MLS club has been invited to the White House during Trump’s two terms in office.
Messi’s Legacy Continues to Grow
Since joining Inter Miami in 2023, Messi has dramatically raised the global profile of the MLS. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner also led Argentina national football team to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, widely considered one of the crowning achievements of his career.
At 38, Messi is expected to represent Argentina again in the upcoming World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by United States, Canada, and Mexico later this year.
World Cup Clouded by Geopolitical Tensions
Despite the celebratory tone of the event, discussion surrounding the next World Cup has been overshadowed by geopolitical developments. In particular, tensions involving Iran have raised questions about the country’s participation in the tournament.
Iran has already qualified and is scheduled to play group-stage matches at SoFi Stadium in California and in Seattle. However, comments from Iranian football officials suggest uncertainty about the country’s participation amid ongoing conflict.
Trump briefly referenced the situation earlier this week but indicated he was unconcerned about Iran’s potential withdrawal from the tournament.
If Iran were to withdraw, it would mark an unprecedented event. No nation that has already qualified for the World Cup has withdrawn from the competition in more than seven decades.
Inter Miami’s Rising Influence
Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas used the moment to highlight the club’s broader impact on American soccer.
According to Mas, the arrival of global stars like Messi has transformed the sport’s culture in the United States and strengthened MLS’s position on the global football stage.
“We can play with the big boys, we can play with the heavyweights,” Mas said. “Our league can become one of the top leagues in the world.”
The ceremony also marked Messi’s first visit to the White House. He had previously been invited to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom under the administration of Joe Biden but was unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts.
Inter Miami will remain in the Washington area following the visit and are scheduled to face D.C. United in an MLS fixture this weekend.
