Donald Trump, president of the United States, hosted Lionel Messi and members of Inter Miami CF at the White House on Thursday.
Gatekeepers News reports that the players were invited to commemorate the club’s triumph in the Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup in December.
The victory marked the 48th team trophy of Messi’s career across club and international competitions, further cementing the Argentine’s legacy in world football.
Speaking during the reception, Trump praised Messi’s achievements and suggested that the Argentine star could rival Brazilian legend Pelé.
“You could have gone anywhere in the world, any team in the world, and you chose Miami. I just want to thank you for bringing us all on this ride,” Trump said.
“I shouldn’t say this because I’m old, but I watched Pelé play. I don’t know, you may be better than Pelé. Pelé was pretty good.”
The president described it as a “distinct privilege” to welcome Messi to the White House, noting that it was a rare moment for an American president to host one of football’s greatest players.
Trump also received Cristiano Ronaldo at the White House in November 2025.
