Lionel Messi and Inter Miami Honored at White House by President Trump

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami were honored at the White House by President Donald Trump on Tuesday for winning last year's MLS Cup. The ceremony included political discussions alongside sports commentary, drawing mixed reactions online.

The Argentinian superstar presented Trump with a bejeweled pink soccer ball during the event, which took place in the East Room of the White House. Inter Miami defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps in December to claim the Major League Soccer title, and Messi was named the league's MVP for the second consecutive season.

Trump praised Messi's achievements, stating, 'Leo, you came in and you won, and that's something very hard to do.' The president also commented on Messi's decision to join Inter Miami: 'You could have gone anywhere in the world. You chose to go to Miami... I just want to thank you for bringing us all on this ride.'

The ceremony turned political at times as Trump addressed several international issues, including the war with Iran, the situation in Venezuela, a possible future announcement regarding Cuba, and tariffs. Despite these political remarks, the president largely focused his comments on sports when speaking directly to Messi.

Among those attending were Inter Miami players Luis Suárez, Tadeo Allende, and Rodrigo De Paul. Also present were MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Andrew Giuliani (head of the White House's World Cup task force), retired baseball star Alex Rodriguez, and members of Trump's cabinet. This marks the first time an MLS team has been invited to the White House during Trump's presidency.

Messi, who led Argentina to World Cup victory in 2022, is expected to play for his national team again this summer when the tournament is hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The upcoming World Cup faces challenges due to recent events such as the conflict with Iran and turmoil in Mexico following the death of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera.

During the ceremony, Trump compared Messi's skills to those of Brazilian legend Pelé, asking the crowd who they thought was better. Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas stated that his team has 'changed the culture of football in the United States forever,' expressing hope for future success and potential returns to the White House.

This marks Messi's first visit to the White House. He had been invited by the Biden administration to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom in January 2025 but was unable to attend due to a scheduling conflict. Inter Miami will remain in the Washington area to play D.C. United on Saturday.

The event drew criticism online, with critics accusing Messi of being a 'sellout' for appearing at the White House ceremony. This visit came just five months after Messi's rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, also visited the White House, which similarly sparked backlash.

Messi has long steered clear of politics, and his appearance at the White House with Trump raised questions about whether this marks a change in his stance. In Argentina, the visit caused surprise and even dismay among those who appreciated Messi for not getting involved in politics. However, some believed it could benefit Argentina as it gears up for its World Cup matches in the U.S.

Kirk Bowman, a professor at Georgia Tech’s Sam Nunn School of International Affairs who studies soccer and politics in Latin America, noted that Messi is very 'long-termism' in his career. He pointed to Messi's investments, including his equity in Inter Miami itself, and his strong embedding in the conservative soccer community of Miami.

Messi stood to the side of Trump as the president offered comments on Iran, Cuba, and Venezuela. At the end, the soccer star offered some applause. Messi’s supporters have defended him by saying he isn’t fluent in English, a perception Bowman says serves as 'an extra layer of brand protection.'

Representatives for Inter Miami and Messi did not respond to The Associated Press’ requests for comment on the visit, though Inter Miami head coach Javier Mascherano was asked about it during a media availability. He said the team spent a couple hours at the White House and that the 'contact with Trump was what you saw on TV and not much more than that.'

The image of Messi with Trump led some fans to invoke the anti-American stance of the late Diego Maradona, Argentina’s other great football idol. Unlike Maradona, who was an active supporter of leaders like Fidel Castro and Hugo Chávez, Messi has stayed largely silent on issues in the various countries he’s lived in.

Overall, it’s unlikely Messi will edge further into politics, Bowman says. 'I don’t think he’s really comfortable being political, but he’s not uncomfortable being used in politics as long as the net benefit is positive,' he said.