Trump Tells Lionel Messi ‘You Came In and You Won’ During Inter Miami White House Celebration

Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump welcomed 2025 MLS Cup champions Inter Miami CF to the White House on Thursday, singling out Argentine superstar Lionel Messi for special praise during a jubilant East Room ceremony.

“I’ve seen a lot of great players come into the world of sports,” Trump told the assembled players, staff and guests. “They come from all different countries…there’s such a glamour, ‘Oh, everything’s great.’ But they don’t win. This guy won.”

Turning to face Messi directly, the president continued: “You came in, there was tremendous fanfare, and you won. That’s something very hard to do—very unusual. There’s a lot more pressure on you than anyone would know, because you’re expected to win. But almost nobody wins. You came in and you won with all that pressure. That’s an amazing tribute, so congratulations.”

Trump revealed that his son Barron, a “big soccer fan,” had been counting down the days until Messi’s visit. “He said, ‘Dad, do you know who’s going to be there today?’ I said, ‘No, I got a lot of things going on.’ He said, ‘Messi!’” The anecdote drew laughter from the crowd.

The president also invoked Brazilian legend Pelé, recalling his time watching the Cosmos great and asking the room to decide who was superior—Pelé or Messi. The answer, delivered by cheers and smiles, favored the Argentine.

Inter Miami presented Trump with a pink club jersey bearing “Trump” and the number 47, honoring his place in the presidential lineage. Co-owner Jorge Mas represented the club at the podium; fellow co-owner David Beckham was absent, supporting wife Victoria at her fashion show.

Messi, 38, captained Inter Miami to the 2025 MLS Cup, registering 29 goals and 16 assists in 28 matches. He captured the Golden Boot as the league’s top scorer and earned his second consecutive Landon Donovan MVP Award. The triumph adds another line to a résumé that already includes two Copa América titles, four UEFA Champions League crowns and a record eight Ballon d’Or honors.

With the 2026 World Cup—jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada—on the horizon, Messi and several Inter Miami teammates will reconvene for international duty this summer. Argentina enters the tournament as defending champions after defeating France in the 2022 final in Qatar.

Trump, a longtime sports enthusiast, closed the ceremony by applauding the entire Inter Miami organization for delivering South Florida its first MLS title and promised to keep an eye on their quest to repeat in 2026.