Inter Miami visited the White House today as Major League Soccer (MLS) champions to celebrate their 2025 season title.
Before the ceremony, Trump was presented with an Inter Miami home jersey with the number 47. Club members first entered the East Room for a group photo, followed by Lionel Messi, Trump, and Inter Miami's majority owner Jorge Mas.
Trump spoke:
"We love champions. We love winners. We are here to honor these great champions. Let's get to the main point today. We want to pay tribute to truly talented people. I am honored to say what no other president has ever said: Welcome Lionel Messi to the White House. My son said, 'Do you know who's coming today?' I said no, I have a lot going on. (Laughs) He said, 'It's Messi.' He's a huge fan of yours. He's a soccer fan, but even more so a huge fan of yours, and there's a guy named Ronaldo."
Trump continued: “The 2025 season was a historic year for Inter Miami. The Club World Cup was held in the United States, and Inter Miami put on a stunning performance for the world. I shouldn't say this, I'm old, but I actually watched Pelé play for the New York Cosmos. To be honest, you might be even better than Pelé. Of course, Pelé was pretty great too.”
"In the group stage of that Club World Cup, these players went head-to-head against the best teams in the world. You drew with Al Ahly of Egypt – the goalkeeper played brilliantly. You also drew with a top Brazilian club (Palmeiras) – (thanks to) Suárez. (Applause) He's good – these guys are really good-looking. I don't like good-looking men. Standing here makes you feel bad about yourself. (Laughs) Good-looking people. In the 65th minute, he (Suárez) received the ball in midfield, turned around for a classic solo run, dribbled past defenders like few others can, and smashed it into the net, ensuring Miami advanced to the next round.
"But no match in the 2025 Club World Cup was more important than the one against Porto. The score was 1-1 in the 54th minute when Messi struck his signature free kick. He shot decisively, the ball cleared the wall, and beat the goalkeeper with a stunning left-footed curve.
“Could I do that if I practiced hard? He said no. I think he's right. Incredible – defeating a European club in an official match.”
Trump:
“I've seen many outstanding athletes from different countries and sports enter the world of sports. Some players might be from different states – like the Yankees or Dodgers – but I've seen athletes from other countries, and they didn't succeed. But this man succeeded. He received enormous attention, and he succeeded. Leo (Messi), you participated and won, which is very rare, very uncommon. You endured far more pressure than we can imagine, because everyone expected you to win. They get huge bonuses just for participating, while you won under such immense pressure. That's truly admirable. So congratulations! In that moment, you won a truly historic victory for the Miami team – the first North American team to defeat a so-called European club, which is a remarkable achievement. Returning to Major League Soccer with incredible momentum – setting the all-time MLS record for most points, is that right?”
“This team swept through the playoffs with a series of impressive victories, which frankly, many people didn't think they could achieve. You first defeated Nashville and Cincinnati, winning three must-win games, then swept New York City FC 5-1. (Applause) We don't want to talk about that game anymore. In the final against Vancouver, they played seamlessly. After Vancouver equalized 1-1, he (Messi) intercepted the ball from a Whitecaps defender and passed it to the great Rodrigo (De Paul). Are there any not-so-good-looking players on your team? I prefer the not-so-good-looking guys.”
“A low shot found the side netting. In the sixth minute of extra time, you scored the third and final goal, making the score 3-1, making you the first champions in the club's history. The coach (Mascherano) became one of the few managers to win a cup final in his first year in charge, while Messi claimed the 47th trophy of his career – the most in history. Therefore, Messi is the reigning World Cup MVP. You could have gone anywhere in the world, chosen any team in the world, but he chose to go to Miami. I don't blame you – the weather there is indeed very nice.”
“I just want to thank you for taking all of us through this journey, because you are extremely talented, charismatic, and have an excellent character. I look forward to seeing many of you in the summer. We'll be there in the summer – the 2026 FIFA World Cup. We have many exciting events planned.”
Subsequently, Inter Miami's majority owner Jorge Mas recounted the club's development history and presented Trump with an Inter Miami home jersey, a pink soccer ball, and a limited-edition Inter Miami souvenir watch engraved with Trump's name on the back.
After the ceremony, Trump invited Messi and club members to visit the Oval Office.