With Lionel Messi as the main attraction, the entire squad of MLS champion Inter Miami was honored this Thursday by the American president, donald trumpwho gave them a picturesque reception at the White House.
In a very formal ceremony but enlivened by the jokes of Trump, who was flanked at the lectern by captain Messi and Jorge Mas, co-owner of the Florida club, about thirty members of the club were highlighted for their historic 2025 campaign, the year in which they won their first title in the North American league.
“My son said to me, ‘Dad, do you know who’s coming today?’ I told him ‘No, I don’t know, I have a lot of things on me.’ “He told me ‘Messi!'” the American president joked to begin the event.which was preceded by a report on the operations of the war in Iran.
My son “is a big fan of your soccer and a man named Ronaldo. Cristiano is great, you are great champions and athletes in your sport,” Trump said to a visibly nervous Messi.
The president, whose favorite sports are not soccer, recounted Las Garzas’ campaign until their victory in the final last December against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
His participation in the FIFA Club World Cup, held in mid-2025 in the United States, stood out, where the Florida club won its first official match against a European club, Portuguese Porto.
Trump even took the time to describe the Argentine world champion’s free kick goal that gave them the victory in that game.
“Will I be able to do it if I try?” he asked Mas, the main owner of this franchise also owned by former English soccer player David Beckham.
During his speech, Trump praised Messi as “a winner” and said that, although he saw Pelé play, he believes the Argentine “is better.”
He also highlighted La Pulga’s achievement of becoming Most Valuable Player (MVP) for two consecutive seasons, a record in the MLS. “You came and won with all the pressure. Congratulations.”
– Gifts to Trump –
The Argentine star, 38, has historically kept his distance from acts with political connotations.
In January 2025, he was absent from the ceremony in which the then president, Democrat Joe Biden, awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the highest civilian recognitions in the United States.
During the inventory of praise for Inter, Trump also personally greeted other Argentines such as Javier Mascherano, whom he referred to as “a tremendous coach”, and the players Tadeo Allende and Rodrigo De Paul.
He also congratulated Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez for being “one of the best scorers of all time”, and joked with the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, about the fact that all the players at Inter were attractive.
“Do you have any players who are not attractive?” said the Republican leader, whose country will host the 2026 World Cup along with Mexico and Canada.
At the end of the ceremony, Jorge Mas and Messi gave Trump a shirt with the number 47 (his presidential number) and a commemorative ball.
The team’s visit, which ended in the Oval Office, served as a special stopover before the match that Las Garzas will play this Sunday against DC United for the third round of the MLS.
