In a historic gathering at the White House, President Donald Trump welcomed the 2025 Major League Soccer champions, Inter Miami, showering praise on the team and its superstar Lionel Messi. This event marked a first for any U.S. president, as Trump proudly declared, ‘Welcome to the White House, Lionel Messi.’
Trump highlighted Inter Miami’s remarkable season, where they shattered records by scoring 101 goals, the most in MLS history. The team not only dominated the league but also stunned European rivals in the FIFA Club World Cup, cementing North American soccer’s rising stature.
‘Lio, you came and you conquered,’ Trump said, acknowledging the immense pressure Messi faced upon joining the club. Despite sky-high expectations, the Argentine legend delivered, clinching the Golden Boot with 29 regular-season goals and becoming the first player to win back-to-back league MVP awards.
The president lauded Messi’s leadership and personal achievements, noting this victory as his 47th career trophy – a number Trump called unimaginable. He commended the players, coaches, and club leadership for their record-breaking performance and global impact since Messi’s arrival.
Inter Miami’s success story underscores the explosive growth of MLS over the past two decades. Surging attendance, lucrative international broadcast deals, and stars like Messi have transformed the league into a premier destination for world-class talent.
The ceremony concluded with Trump inviting the team to the Oval Office, a fitting capstone to a day celebrating soccer’s new era in America. As Messi and Inter Miami bask in their triumph, their White House visit signals soccer’s deepening roots in the U.S. sports landscape.