Lionel Messi, Inter Miami visit White House to celebrate 2025 MLS Cup championship

Washington, D.C. — In a historic first for American soccer, Inter Miami and superstar Lionel Messi were welcomed to the White House on Thursday to celebrate the club’s 2025 Major League Soccer Cup triumph.

President Donald Trump greeted the champions in the East Room, opening the ceremony with a nod to the unique moment. “Today, we're thrilled to host the 2025 MLS Cup Champions, Inter Miami,” he said. “And 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 Messi!”

Trump revealed that his son Barron is an avid Messi fan and underscored the significance of Argentina’s all-time leading scorer making an official White House visit. Messi, accompanied by club co-owner Jorge Mas, entered alongside the president but did not address the gathering. Co-owner David Beckham missed the event, remaining in Europe for wife Victoria’s fashion show, according to CNN.

A delegation of players joined Messi, including Luis Suárez, Tadeo Allende and Rodrigo De Paul, whom Trump praised for scoring in the title match. MLS commissioner Don Garber and former baseball star Alex Rodriguez were also in attendance.

“Leo, you came in and you won, and that's something very hard to do,” Trump continued. “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 president reminisced about watching Brazilian legend Pelé with the New York Cosmos and polled the room on the sport’s greatest icon. “I don’t know, you may be better. Who’s better?” he asked, gesturing toward Messi. “I think he is.”

In customary champions fashion, Trump received a pink Inter Miami jersey, a matching pink soccer ball and a limited-edition team watch engraved with his name on the back.

Inter Miami captured its first MLS crown in December by defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps. Messi, already the league’s 2024 MVP, earned the award again in 2025, becoming the first player in MLS history to win consecutive Most Valuable Player honors.

The accolades add to Messi’s unparalleled résumé: a FIFA World Cup title and Olympic gold with Argentina, four UEFA Champions League trophies with FC Barcelona, two Ligue 1 championships with Paris Saint-Germain and a record eight Ballon d’Or awards as the world’s best player.

The team will return to action Saturday night against D.C. United at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium.