Although all the spotlight was on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami‘s visit, it actually wasn’t the only high-profile appearance at the White House this Thursday. The former New York Yankees player and current co-owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Alex Rodriguez, joined the celebration that took place in Washington, D.C.
Is there a connection between Alex Rodriguez and Inter Miami?
Among the group of celebrities present at the White House, MLS Commissioner Don Garber also stood out, but Alex Rodriguez‘s presence has nothing to do with any MLS club-at least for now.
The truth is that for a long time, the former MLB star has been associated with the city of Miami, and it appeared that President Donald Trump invited him to participate in the ceremony.
The president posed for a photo with A-Rod in the Oval Office before the ceremony and mentioned him during his speech in the East Room, calling himself a “great fan” of the baseball star.
Donald Trump also recalled an anecdote from when he watched Rodríguez play with the New York Yankees while sitting next to the late team owner, George Steinbrenner.
Thursday’s ceremony paid tribute to the MLS Cup champions, Inter Miami-a club co-owned by football legend David Beckham and featuring Lionel Messi, considered by many to be one of the greatest footballers in history.
Trump and the Argentine star entered the East Room of the White House together and later shook hands in front of the audience at the event.
During the ceremony, Messi helped present the president with several gifts: an Inter Miami jersey with the number 47 and his name on the back, a pink Inter Miami soccer ball with jewel inlays, and a limited-edition Tudor watch.
Donald Trump spared no praise for the Argentine captain and even stated that he considers him better than Pelé, whom he recalled watching play for the New York Cosmos in the 1970s.
“Who is better, him or Pelé?” Trump asked the Inter Miami players standing behind him, before pointing to Messi. “I think he is, but Pelé was also pretty good. Pelé was very good.”
The event also included a somewhat awkward moment when the president mentioned another football superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo-who visited the White House in November-while talking about his youngest son.
“[Barron] is a huge fan of yours,” Trump told Messi. “He thinks you’re a great person. He’s a huge admirer of yours, as well as of a gentleman named Ronaldo… Cristiano is great. There are great champions and extraordinary athletes in this sport.”
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