US, Mar 06 : Lionel Messi and his team, Inter Miami CF, were honored at the White House on Thursday by former U.S. President Donald Trump following their Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup win last December. Messi was also named MLS Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year.
Trump Applauds Messi’s Impact
Trump praised Messi for joining a new team and achieving success under immense expectations. “Leo, you came in and you won, and that’s something very hard to do, very, very unusual… almost nobody wins,” Trump said during the ceremony.
Team Representation and Remarks
Messi attended alongside teammates including Luis Suárez, Tadeo Allende, and Rodrigo De Paul. Former baseball star Alex Rodriguez was also present. Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas highlighted the team’s role in elevating soccer in the U.S., stating, “Our league can be one of the top leagues in the world… this is the ability to dream and persevere.”
First White House Visit for Messi
This marked Messi’s first White House visit. He had previously been invited by the Biden administration for the Presidential Medal of Freedom but could not attend due to scheduling conflicts. Inter Miami is the first MLS team to visit the White House during Trump’s two terms.
Looking Ahead
Inter Miami will remain in Washington to play against D.C. United on Saturday, continuing their high-profile U.S. tour.