Inter Miami CF captain Lionel Messi visited the White House on Thursday, March 5, 2026, with his teammates after winning the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) season, in a ceremony led by US President Donald Trump.
The visit was part of a tradition in American sports where championship teams from the major professional leagues are invited to the presidential residence to celebrate their titles.
During the event, Trump welcomed the Florida club’s squad and praised the team’s sporting achievement, highlighting the presence of the Argentine star. In his speech, the president began the conference by addressing various international issues before congratulating the championship team.
We like winners
Trump expressed this when he received the Inter Miami squad.
Trump compares Messi to Pele
One of the most striking moments of the ceremony was when the US president recalled the legendary Brazilian Pele’s time with the New York Cosmos in the 1970s.
Trump claimed that he had the opportunity to see him play and then made a direct comparison with Messi.
Who do you think is better, Pele or him? I think he is
Said the president pointing to the Argentine captain.
The statement generated immediate reactions on social media, as the debate over who is the best footballer in history usually pits different generations of fans against each other.
Presence of Inter Miami figures
Several players and members of the coaching staff of the team led by Javier Mascherano were also present at the event
Among the soccer players who accompanied Messi were Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez and Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, both important figures in the squad.
Trump even joked during the ceremony with the use of the term “soccer,” the name by which football is known in the United States.
A Mexican striker also present
In addition to Messi, one of the players who caught the eye at the ceremony was Argentine-born Mexican striker German Berterame, a recent addition to Inter Miami.
The striker, who had a distinguished spell with CF Monterrey and the Mexican national soccer team, is emerging as one of the offensive options for coach Javier Aguirre ahead of future international commitments.
A historic visit for Messi
The visit was the first time Messi had been to the White House. In January 2025, he had been invited by then-President Joe Biden to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, but the player did not attend due to scheduling problems.
The event also coincided with Inter Miami’s presence in Washington to play an MLS match against D.C. United in the early rounds of the 2026 season.
Key facts
- Inter Miami visited the White House as 2025 MLS champions.
- The ceremony was led by Donald Trump.
- Trump compared Lionel Messi to Pele and said the Argentine could be better.
- Luis Suarez, Rodrigo De Paul and German Berterame were also present.
- This is the first time Messi has visited the White House.
Messi and Inter Miami’s presence at the presidential residence reflects the impact that the club and MLS have achieved globally, especially after the arrival of the Argentine star to American soccer.
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