Inter Miami star Lionel Messi hung his head when following President Donald Trump into the White House ahead of the ceremony organized for the reigning MLS Cup champions
16:57 ET, 05 Mar 2026Updated 09:07 ET, 06 Mar 2026
Lionel Messi had his head down when following Donald Trump at the White House(Image: The White House)
President Donald Trump escorted Lionel Messi into the White House on Thursday, but the soccer star hung his head as he entered the room behind the American leader.
On Thursday, Trump honored Inter Miami at the White House to celebrate their MLS Cup championship last season. Messi entered last as the face of Miami, and the MLS, with his teammates already standing behind Trump’s podium, waiting patiently for the ceremony to begin.
Initially, Messi’s attendance wasn’t confirmed, but the soccer icon was at the White House alongside star teammates such as Luis Suarez. During the meeting, the Miami players looked extremely uncomfortable as they were forced to applaud a bizarre comment from Trump.
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While professional sports teams are often celebrated at the White House after winning major championships, it hasn’t been an annual tradition for MLS teams. While some soccer clubs have attended, Trump made it clear that he wanted to host Messi at the White House.
Trump has already welcomed fellow soccer icon Cristiano Ronaldo to the White House, and has now completed the set after Messi opted to attend. “We’re here to honor these great champions. Let’s get to the reason we’re here,” Trump said.
“We’re honoring truly talented people.” Trump then shook Messi’s hand and flexed that he had become the first U.S. President to meet with the Miami star at an official event.
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“It’s my privilege to say what no other president has ever said before: ‘Welcome Lionel Messi to the White House,'” Trump said. He then mentioned his son, Barron, claiming he was a big Messi fan.
Messi was then compared to the late Pele by Trump, who claimed to have seen him play for the New York Cosmos many years ago. “I don’t know, you may be better. Who’s better?” Trump asked while turning to the Miami players. “I think he is,” Trump added, referring to Messi.
While attending the White House has always been a controversial decision, the current climate has made things even tougher for the Miami roster. The men’s Team USA hockey team faced backlash for visiting Trump after the Winter Olympics, but since then, the U.S. has struck Iran.
Messi met with President Donald Trump on Thursday(Image: Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images)
Ahead of the ceremony, Miami midfielder Telasco Segovia said that the decision to attend was purely to honor their MLS championship, nothing else. “We are going because we are champions from last season,” Segovia said.
“I don’t get involved with politics, but I know it’s an important occasion.” After the ceremony concluded, Miami gifted President Trump a jersey with his name and No. 47 on the back.
Although Messi, Suarez, and managing owner Jorge Mas were in attendance, franchise owner and soccer legend David Beckham was not. Beckham has previously visited the White House, but was back in the UK.
Beckham was spotted back in Manchester to support his son, Cruz, who was performing at The Deaf Institute with his band The Breakers.
It comes after a lip reader decoded Barron and Ivanka Trump’s mysterious conversation just days before their dad attacked Iran.