Messi and Inter Miami Take White House by Storm: Trump Dubs Him 'Better Than Pelé'!
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami celebrated their 2025 MLS Cup win at the White House, where Donald Trump hailed the Argentine as potentially better than Pelé and gifted a custom jersey. Owner Jorge Mas shared his immigrant roots story, while Trump mixed footy praise with his usual flair. The squad now eyes a clash with DC United.
Messi Mania Hits the White House
Picture this: the world's greatest footballer striding into the White House alongside Donald Trump, pink Inter Miami jerseys in tow. That's exactly what went down when Lionel Messi and his title-winning Herons squad rocked up to celebrate their 2025 MLS Cup triumph. Trump, beaming like he'd just signed the Argentine himself, declared it a first – no US president had ever rolled out the red carpet for an MLS champ quite like this.
The former US military nods aside, Trump was all about the footy vibes. He hailed Messi's arrival in South Florida back in 2023, crediting the little maestro for landing the 2024 Supporters' Shield, 2023 Leagues Cup, and that shiny MLS Cup. 'This guy came in with fanfare and actually won!' Trump boomed, contrasting him with flashy imports who flop.
Trump Drops Bold Comparisons and Cheeky Compliments
Trump didn't hold back on the superstar shoutouts. He pitted Messi against Cristiano Ronaldo – who popped by for a posh dinner last November – and even the legendary Pelé, whom he watched light up the New York Cosmos in the old NASL days. 'Soccer didn't catch on back then,' Trump quipped, nodding to the sport's US boom. Then, the kicker: 'You might be better than Pelé!' he told Messi, polling the room like a pub debate.
The compliments flowed, but took a turn for the hilarious. Trump called Messi 'hot' and joked to the squad, 'You lot are all lookers – where's the ugly ones I prefer?' Stars like winger Tadeo Allende and midfielder Rodrigo De Paul got nods too. Gifts? A custom pink Inter Miami shirt with 'Trump 47' on the back, plus a blinged-out signed footy. Pure class.
Messi, ever the pro at 38, grinned through it all – his first White House gig, despite skipping a Presidential Medal of Freedom bash under Biden in 2024. No David Beckham, Jordi Alba, or Sergio Busquets though; the retirees sat this one out after their title heroics.
Mas's American Dream and Miami's Next Battle
Jorge Mas, Inter Miami's managing owner, stole hearts with his speech. Son of Cuban exiles, he tied the club's 'Freedom to Dream' motto to bringing Messi stateside – a pipe dream from 2019 that became reality. 'We aimed for excellence,' Mas said, as the squad posed in the Oval Office.
Trump wove in plugs for 2026 World Cup ticket sales (booming, apparently) and his tariff triumphs, but the footy focus held firm. Messi, still brushing up on English, stayed poker-faced amid the politics.
With the pomp done, eyes turn to Saturday's scrap at M&T Bank Stadium against DC United. Can the Herons keep the momentum? After charming the president, you'd fancy them to. What a time to be an MLS fan – from DRV PNK Stadium to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Cheers to that!
(Images and clips courtesy of White House feeds and outlets like Sky Sports.)