In a special ceremony held at the White House on Thursday, former President Donald Trump warmly welcomed Argentina’s football icon Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates to celebrate their remarkable 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup championship. The event brought together the star-studded squad, including coach Javier Mascherano and team co-owner Jorge Mas, who stood alongside Trump as he addressed the gathering. While Trump began his remarks touching on ongoing military developments in the Middle East, he quickly shifted focus to the sporting triumphs of the Miami-based team, highlighting their historic season and the broader impact of soccer in the United States.
Trump reminisced about the legendary Brazilian footballer Pelé, who famously played for the New York Cosmos during the 1970s, a period that significantly boosted the sport’s popularity across America. Reflecting on those days, Trump admitted, “I shouldn’t say this because I’m old, but I watched Pelé play,” before playfully suggesting that Messi might even surpass the Brazilian great. “Pelé was pretty good,” he remarked, acknowledging the immense talent of both players while emphasizing Messi’s exceptional contributions to the game.
The Miami players presented Trump with a symbolic gift: a No. 47 jersey from their iconic pink kit, representing his status as the 47th President of the United States. Trump, in turn, praised key members of the team, including Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, promising young talent Tadeo Allende, and midfielder Rodrigo De Paul. He also took a subtle jab at current President Joe Biden by noting, “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.” This remark alluded to Messi’s absence from the White House ceremony when Biden awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom earlier in January 2025.
Trump went on to commend Messi’s ability to deliver under pressure, contrasting him with other high-profile athletes who join major American sports franchises but fail to secure championships. “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 clamor. Everything’s great, but they don’t win. This guy won.” He gestured toward Messi, emphasizing the Argentine’s unique capacity to meet and exceed expectations in a highly competitive environment.
Highlighting Inter Miami’s impressive 2025 campaign, Trump recounted their 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup final, a defining moment that cemented their status as league champions. Additionally, he celebrated their groundbreaking 2-1 win against Portuguese giants Porto in the Club World Cup, marking the first occasion a North American club triumphed over a European team in official competition. This victory not only elevated Inter Miami’s international standing but also signaled a new era for soccer in the United States.
In response to Trump’s accolades, Jorge Mas, the Cuban-American co-owner of Inter Miami, reflected on the team’s rapid ascent since its inaugural season in 2020. Mas emphasized that their success was rooted in a philosophy of hard work, sacrifice, and dreaming big. “If you work hard and you sacrifice and you dream, it can be possible,” he stated, underscoring the team’s commitment to excellence. Mas also credited the collective efforts of the squad, noting that the club’s global achievements were not solely due to Messi’s brilliance but also the dedication of the entire team. “These men standing behind you have changed the culture of football in the United States of America forever,” he added proudly. “We can play with the big boys.” This sentiment captured the transformative impact Inter Miami has had on American soccer, inspiring a new generation of players and fans alike.
