The Inter Miami team visited President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday. Led by their captain, Lionel Messi, the Florida team was honored for their 2025 MLS championship.
Donald Trump stated that the Argentine is a better player than Pelé, whom he said he saw play for the New York Cosmos.
“I shouldn’t say this because then they’ll say I’m old, but I saw Pelé play. He played for the Cosmos. I don’t know… Maybe you’re better than Pelé. Pelé was pretty good. Who’s better? You? I think so… But he was very good, right? Pelé was very good,” Trump declared during the reception.
The president received an Inter Miami jersey with his last name and the number 47 on the back (referring to his status as the 47th president of the United States), as well as a soccer ball and a personalized Tudor watch.
Speaking on behalf of Inter Miami, its president, Jorge Mas, said a few words.
“I told myself what many believed was impossible. I said: we’re going to bring the best player in the world to play for Inter Miami, and that was in 2019. And today, before you, you have the best player in the world,” he added.
The visit coincided with Inter Miami’s game against D.C. United, which is why they traveled to Washington, D.C.
In doing so, Inter Miami continued the long-standing tradition in American sports of commemorating a league title with a reception at the White House.
D.C. United was the first MLS team to visit the White House in 1998 after their World Cup victory, while LA Galaxy visited on multiple occasions, winning in 2011, 2012, and 2014.
Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham visited the White House with the Galaxy in 2012 to celebrate their league title.
The Herons lifted the 2025 MLS Cup on December 6, defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale to secure the team’s first league trophy.
Although the team had previously won the Supporters’ Shield and the Leagues Cup, the MLS Cup remained an elusive goal until they finally claimed the title last season.
