United States President Donald Trump hosted Lionel Messi and members of Inter Miami CF at the White House in celebration of the club’s MLS Cup triumph.
Images shared on social media by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano showed Messi alongside teammates during the visit to the presidential residence in Washington, D.C. The photos also featured several key players from the title-winning squad, including veteran striker Luis Suárez, who played a significant role in the club’s successful campaign.
Addressing the team during the reception, Trump congratulated Messi and Inter Miami for their remarkable achievement in Major League Soccer, noting the pressure that comes with high expectations.
Trump welcomed the Argentine star with the words:
“Welcome to the White House, Lionel Messi.”
He added:
“Leo, you came in and you won, and that’s something very hard to do, very very unusual and frankly, there’s a lot more pressure put on you than anyone would know because you sort of expected to win, but almost nobody wins.”
The U.S. president also spoke about his son’s admiration for the football icon and another global star, highlighting their influence on young fans.
“My son said, ‘Dad, do you know who’s going to be there today?’ … He’s a big fan of yours. He thinks you’re just a great person… He’s a big soccer fan, but he’s a tremendous fan of yours, and a gentleman named Ronaldo. Cristiano is great. You’re great,” Trump said, referring to Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
The White House visit served as a formal recognition of Inter Miami’s championship victory, with photos and remarks from the event quickly gaining traction across social media platforms.