President Donald Trump welcomed Lionel Messi and Inter Miami to the White House, celebrating their 2025 MLS Cup and Club World Cup victories.

PRESIDENT Donald Trump welcomed Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates to the White House on Thursday. The ceremony honoured the team’s 2025 MLS Cup and Club World Cup victories.

Trump opened with remarks on Middle East military action before focusing on the team’s achievements. He reminisced about Brazilian icon Pele’s impact on US soccer in the 1970s.

“I shouldn’t say this because I’m old, but I watched Pele play,” Trump said. “I don’t know, you (Messi) may be better than Pele. Pele was pretty good.”

The players presented Trump with a team jersey bearing the number 47. This reflected his status as the nation’s 47th president.

Trump praised several players, including Luis Suarez and Tadeo Allende. He also made a subtle reference to his predecessor, Joe Biden.

“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,” Trump said. Messi did not attend a 2025 ceremony where Biden awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Trump highlighted the pressure on Messi to succeed immediately in Major League Soccer. He contrasted this with other star athletes who joined US teams but did not win championships.

“Everything’s great, but they don’t win. This guy won,” he said, gesturing toward Messi. “Leo, you came in and you won.”

The president listed Miami’s 2025 triumphs, including a 3-1 MLS Cup final win over Vancouver. He also noted their historic 2-1 Club World Cup victory over Portugal’s Porto.

Team co-owner Jorge Mas, the son of Cuban immigrants, accepted the congratulations. He said the club’s philosophy was rooted in hard work and sacrifice.

Inter Miami’s global success is “not only because of Lionel Messi, but these men standing behind you have changed the culture of football in the United States of America forever,” Mas said. “We can play with the big boys.”

 The Sun Malaysia