Inter Miami captain Lionel Messi and his teammates were honoured at the White House after the club secured its historic 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup victory, marking a significant milestone in the team’s short but rapidly rising journey in American football.
The ceremony took place in Washington, D.C., where United States President Donald Trump welcomed the players, technical staff and club officials to celebrate Inter Miami’s first-ever MLS Cup triumph. The event brought together leading figures from sports and politics as the American government continued the long-standing tradition of recognising championship-winning teams.
During the ceremony held in the East Room of the White House, Messi presented a signature pink Inter Miami soccer ball to President Trump as a symbolic gesture to commemorate the occasion. The colour of the ball reflected the club’s distinctive identity, which has become widely recognised across global football.
Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas also presented the president with an official Inter Miami jersey and a commemorative watch. Head coach Javier Mascherano joined the players and club executives as the team marked its achievement in front of invited guests and officials.
Messi’s appearance at the White House marked his first visit since joining Inter Miami in July 2023. Since arriving in Major League Soccer, the Argentine football icon has played a transformative role in the club’s development and the league’s global visibility.
President Trump welcomed Messi warmly during the ceremony, praising the forward for his extraordinary talent and impact on the game.
According to the president, hosting Messi at the White House was a special moment, noting that no American president had previously had the opportunity to receive the Argentine superstar in such a capacity.
Trump also shared a personal story about his son’s admiration for Messi, highlighting the footballer’s influence on younger generations around the world.
“Leo, you came in and you won, and that’s something very hard to do, very unusual,” Trump said during the event. “The pressure on you was enormous, but you delivered and led your team to victory.”
The president commended the club’s determination and praised the players for their achievement, which many analysts believe represents a turning point for both Inter Miami and Major League Soccer.
Inter Miami secured the 2025 MLS Cup on December 6 after defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3–1 in a thrilling final played in Fort Lauderdale. The victory marked the first championship in the club’s history since its establishment in 2020.
Messi was instrumental throughout the season and was ultimately named the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the second consecutive year, further strengthening his legacy as one of the greatest players in football history.
Several of Messi’s teammates also attended the White House ceremony, including Uruguayan striker Luis Suárez, midfielder Rodrigo De Paul and forward Tadeo Allende.
Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber was present at the event, along with Andrew Giuliani, head of the White House World Cup task force. Former Major League Baseball star Alex Rodriguez also attended the ceremony.
Following the East Room reception, President Trump invited members of the Inter Miami squad to visit the Oval Office, continuing a long-standing American tradition of honouring championship-winning sports teams.
Over the years, the White House has hosted several teams from different sports leagues, including football, basketball and baseball champions.
In Major League Soccer, previous teams honoured at the White House include D.C. United, which visited in 1998, and LA Galaxy, which received invitations following their championship victories in 2011, 2012 and 2014.
The recognition of Inter Miami reflects the growing importance of football in the United States, especially as the country prepares to host major global tournaments in the coming years.
Messi’s presence in MLS has significantly increased international attention on the league. Since joining Inter Miami, stadium attendances, television viewership and global interest in American football competitions have grown considerably.
Earlier in January 2025, Messi had been invited to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom during the administration of former President Joe Biden. However, the football legend was unable to attend the ceremony due to prior commitments.
During Thursday’s White House event, President Trump also reminisced about watching Brazilian football icon Pelé play during his time with the New York Cosmos in the United States.
In a lighthearted moment that drew applause from the audience, the president told Messi that some people believe he might even be better than the Brazilian legend.
“You may be better than Pelé,” Trump said, prompting cheers and laughter from those gathered at the ceremony.
Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas also spoke during the event, reflecting on the club’s rapid rise in professional football since its launch in 2020.
Mas noted that the club’s success demonstrates the growing competitiveness of Major League Soccer and its ability to attract world-class talent.
“We can play with the big boys. We can play with the heavyweights,” Mas said. “Our league can be one of the top leagues in the world.”
He emphasised that the club’s philosophy has always been built around ambition, perseverance and the belief that barriers can be broken through determination and hard work.
According to Mas, the 2025 MLS Cup victory represents the reward for years of planning, investment and commitment by players, coaches and the club’s leadership.
Inter Miami is co-owned by several investors, including former England and Manchester United star David Beckham, whose vision played a major role in establishing the franchise.
Since its founding, the club has rapidly grown into one of the most recognised teams in American football, particularly following Messi’s arrival in 2023.
The combination of international stars, passionate supporters and ambitious leadership has helped position Inter Miami as one of the most talked-about clubs in the league.
For Messi, the MLS Cup victory added yet another milestone to an already legendary career that includes multiple Ballon d’Or awards, domestic league titles and international success with Argentina.
The White House celebration served as a symbolic recognition of that success, highlighting both Messi’s impact on American football and Inter Miami’s growing presence on the global stage.
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