Trump hosts Messi, Inter Miami after 2025 MLS Cup triumph
Argentina’s superstar Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates were feted by President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday in honour of their 2025 MLS Cup championship.
By japhet samuel
3 min read25 viewsUpdated Aug 27, 2026
Argentina’s superstar Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates were feted by President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday in honour of their 2025 MLS Cup championship.
Messi was at the forefront as Miami players, coach Javier Mascherano and team co-owner Jorge Mas flanked Trump, who opened proceedings with comments on military action in the Middle East.
But he soon got down to the team’s 2025 exploits and reminiscences of Brazilian icon Pele’s 1970s stint with the New York Cosmos and its electrifying effect on soccer in the United States.
“I shouldn’t say this because I’m old, but I watched Pele play,” Trump said. “I don’t know, you (Messi) may be better than Pele. Pele was pretty good.”
The players came bearing gifts for Trump, including a No. 47 jersey from the team’s signature pink kit, reflecting his status as the nation’s 47th president.
From Trump there were shout-outs to Miami’s Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, rising star Tadeo Allende, and Rodrigo De Paul — and a subtle dig at former president Joe Biden.
“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,” Trump said, an oblique reference to the fact Messi did not attend the ceremony when Biden awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in January 2025.
“I’ve seen a lot of great players come into the world of sports,” Trump said. “They come to the Yankees or they come to the Dodgers… and there’s such a clamour.
“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.
US President Donald Trump shakes hand with Argentinian star Lionel Messi during an event for Inter Miami CF, winners of the 2025 Major League Soccer Cup, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 5, 2026.
Trump’s rundown of Miami’s 2025 achievements included not only their 3-1 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup final but also their 2-1 victory over Portuguese side Porto in the Club World Cup, which marked the first time a North American team beat a European one in official competition.
In accepting Trump’s congratulations, Mas — the son of Cuban immigrants — said Miami’s rise since its 2020 inaugural season was based on the philosophy that “if you work hard and you sacrifice and you dream, it can be possible.”
Inter Miami’s global success is “not only because of Lionel Messi, but these men standing behind you have changed the culture of football in the United States of America forever,” Mas said. “We can play with the big boys.”
Argentina’s superstar Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates were feted by President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday in honour of their 2025 MLS Cup championship. Argentina’s superstar Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates were feted by President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday in honour of their 2025 MLS Cup championship.Messi...
Key takeaways
Argentina’s superstar Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates were feted by President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday in honour of their 2025 MLS Cup championship.
Argentina’s superstar Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates were feted by President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday in honour of their 2025 MLS Cup championship.Messi was at the forefront as Miami players, coach Javier Mascherano and team co-owner Jorge Mas flanked Trump, who opened proceedings with comments on military action in the Middle East.But he soon got down to the team’s 2025 exploits and reminiscences of Brazilian icon Pele’s 1970s stint with the New York Cosmos and its electrifying effect on soccer in the United States.“I shouldn’t say this because I’m old, but I watched Pele play,” Trump said.
“I don’t know, you (Messi) may be better than Pele.
Article FAQ
What is this story about?
Argentina’s superstar Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates were feted by President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday in honour of their 2025 MLS Cup championship. Argentina’s superstar Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates were feted by President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday in honour of their 2025 MLS Cup championship.Messi...
Who published this story?
Glow 99.1 FM published this story with japhet samuel listed as author.
The 10th annual Aminu Good Works Foundation Nigeria Basketball Combine, which kicked off at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, Oyo State, on Friday, climaxed on Sunday
The first champions of the 14th World Choir Games have been crowned in Helsingborg, Sweden, with choirs from nine categories emerging winners of the Champions Competition.
THE Super Eagles will take on Jordan in an international friendly during the March FIFA national team window, s.
According to Afrik-Foot, the match is scheduled to take place in Amman, Jordan’s capital, between March 23 and 31, with both federations having reached an agreement for the fixture.
Football fans have taken legal action against FIFA over the high cost of tickets for the 2026 World Cup, describing the pricing as excessive and unfair.
Lionel Messi completed nine successful dribbles during Argentina’s World Cup semi-final victory over England, but remained six short of Jay-Jay Okocha’s record of 15 in one match.
