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President Donald Trump has demonstrated his love for sports many times, in and out of office, and has seen talent from around the world compete for glory.
But when Trump received Inter Miami CF, champion of the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup, at the White House on Thursday, he could not help but praise one of the best to ever play the sport: a great who won with a lot of pressure on his shoulders.
“I have to say this. I’ve seen a lot of great players come into the world of sports, and they come from different countries, all different players,” Trump said during his speech at the White House. “They’ve come, in some cases, from different states. They come to the Yankees, or they come to the Dodgers, or they come from whatever. I’ve seen them come from other countries, and there is so much glamour.” [like]’Oh, everything is great.’ But they don’t win. This boy won.
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U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Argentine star Lionel Messi during an event for Inter Miami CF, winner of the 2025 Major League Soccer Cup, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 5, 2026. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)
When Trump turned around, he addressed Messi directly.
“He came in, there was tremendous fanfare, and he won. But it’s true, they don’t win. They come in, they’re great players, they can even play well, but they don’t win. Leo, you came in and you won, and that’s a very difficult thing, very unusual. And, frankly, there’s a lot more pressure on you than anyone could imagine because you’re expected to win. But hardly anyone wins. They come, they’re great, they’re the best in the world, they get paid a fortune. You came in and you won with all that pressure. It’s an incredible tribute, like that. what congratulations.”
Trump added that his son, Barron, was ecstatic about Messi’s arrival with his Inter Miami CF teammates at the White House.
“My son said, ‘Dad, do you know who’s going to be there today?’ I said, ‘No, I have a lot of things to do.’ He said, ‘Messi!'” Trump said as those present laughed.
“He is a great football fan and a tremendous follower of yours.”
Trump also invoked Brazilian great Pelé, saying he was able to see him play for the New York Cosmos, as he was a good friend of its owner, Steve Ross, known for popularizing soccer in the United States. Trump asked the crowd who was better, Pelé or Messi, and the latter simply smiled as the room agreed that it was the Argentine legend who took home that award.
U.S. President Donald Trump points to Argentine star Lionel Messi (L) during an event for Inter Miami CF, winner of the 2025 Major League Soccer Cup, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 5, 2026. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)
Trump listed Inter Miami’s achievements, in which Messi played an important role. He scored 29 goals and 16 assists in 28 games played last season for Inter Miami, making him the MLS Golden Boot award winner for most goals. He also won back-to-back Landon Donovan MVP Awards.
Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas spoke on behalf of the team, with his brother and co-owner José Mas watching from the crowd. David Beckham, the British soccer legend who also has a stake in the MLS team, did not attend the White House because he was supporting his wife, Victoria Beckham, with her fashion show.
The team gave away a pink Inter Miami jersey with Trump sewn on the back along with the number 47 to commemorate his place among United States presidents.
Messi and many others behind him will also take part in the World Cup later this summer, which will take place in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
United States President Donald Trump speaks during an event celebrating 2025 MLS Cup champion Inter Miami CF in the East Room of the White House on March 5, 2026, in Washington, DC. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Messi and Argentina are the current champions, having defeated France on penalties in a dramatic final in Qatar. The 38-year-old finally managed to lift the World Cup trophy, having chased it during his prime with FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi has won two Copa América titles, four UEFA Champions League titles and has won eight Ballon d’Or awards for the best footballer in the world. He can now add the MLS champion to his illustrious resume, and Trump praised him and the rest of Inter Miami in style Thursday afternoon in Washington DC.
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