Trending 
United States President Donald Trump on Thursday hosted Argentine football star Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates at the White House to celebrate their 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup victory.
Messi joined his teammates, head coach Javier Mascherano, and club co-owner Jorge Mas at the event, where the president congratulated the team on their championship-winning season.
Reflecting on football history in the United States, the president recalled watching Brazilian legend Pelé during his time with the New York Cosmos in the 1970s and acknowledged Pelé’s impact on the sport’s popularity in the country.
Trump suggested that Messi might even rival the Brazilian great, remarking that although Pelé was exceptional, Messi could arguably be better.
“I shouldn’t say this because I’m old, but I watched Pelé play.
“I don’t know, you (Messi) may be better than Pele. Pele was pretty good.”
During the ceremony, the Inter Miami players presented Trump with a pink team jersey bearing the number 47, symbolising his position as the 47th president of the United States.
Trump further praised several members of the squad, including Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez, midfielder Rodrigo De Paul and young talent Tadeo Allende.
The president also appeared to make a subtle reference to former president Joe Biden, noting that it was a rare privilege for a US president to formally welcome Messi to the White House, alluding to the Argentine star’s absence when he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in January 2025.
Commending Messi’s influence on the club, Trump said many high-profile athletes join major teams but fail to deliver titles, whereas Messi had successfully led the team to victory.
“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.
“I’ve seen a lot of great players come into the world of sports. They come to the Yankees or they come to the Dodgers… and there’s such a clamor.
“Everything’s great, but they don’t win. This guy won,” he said with a gesture 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 added.
He also stated Inter Miami’s achievements during the season, including their 3-1 win against the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup final.
Trump further praised the club’s 2-1 victory over Portuguese side Porto in the Club World Cup, describing it as a landmark moment for North American football because it marked the first time a team from the region defeated a European club in an official competition.
