Trump Honors Lionel Messi and Inter Miami at the White House

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Bhupendra Singh Chundawat

Trump Honors Lionel Messi and Inter Miami at the White House

Washington, March 6: U.S. President Donald Trump hosted the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) champion Inter Miami team at a ceremony held at the White House. He praised the team’s historic season and welcomed football star Lionel Messi, calling it a moment never experienced by any previous U.S. president.

During the event, Trump expressed, “Today, I am thrilled to host the 2025 MLS Cup champions, Inter Miami. It is my privilege to say what no other U.S. president has had the chance to say. Welcome to the White House, Lionel Messi.”

The ceremony honored Inter Miami for their championship victory and record-breaking performance in Major League Soccer. Trump congratulated the players, coaches, and club leadership, highlighting the global impact since Messi joined the team.

He noted Messi’s extraordinary success with Inter Miami, emphasizing that many international stars come to the U.S. league with high hopes but fail to win titles. Trump remarked, “Lionel, you came and you won; that is incredibly difficult and extraordinary.”

The president acknowledged the pressure Messi faced upon joining the club and praised the Argentine star for meeting those expectations. “The pressure on you is something no one understands because you are expected to win,” Trump said.

Trump also highlighted the club’s on-field achievements this season, stating, “Returning to MLS, Inter Miami maintained an incredible rhythm, playing a record number of matches and scoring a total of 101 goals, the highest in MLS history.”

He described the club’s victory over a European rival during the FIFA Club World Cup as a historic moment for North American football.

During the ceremony, Trump praised Messi’s individual accomplishments, recognizing his remarkable goal-scoring and leadership. He noted, “With 29 goals in the regular season, Lionel won the Golden Boot award and became the first player to be named league MVP twice in a row.”

The president declared Messi one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, stating, “Messi has won his 47th trophy in his illustrious career. 47! Can you imagine? The most ever.”

The ceremony concluded with Trump inviting the players and officials to the Oval Office, saying, “I want to invite the team to the Oval Office; it’s a very special place.”

Over the past two decades, Major League Soccer’s popularity in the United States has surged due to increasing viewership, international broadcasting agreements, and the arrival of global stars like Messi. The league has established itself as a competitive destination for international players.

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