Trump asks if Messi is better than Pelé: 5 highlights from Inter Miami White House visit Safid Deen, USA TODAYThu, March 5, 2026 at 10:58 PM UTC 0 Lionel Messi walked alongside President Donald Trump and Inter Miami coowner Jorge Mas after his teammates and coaches entered the East Room of the White House to commemorate their 2025 MLS Cup title on Wednesday, March 5. Trump began the ceremony speaking at length about Iran and Cuba, before finally introducing the club. "It's my privilege to say what no other president has ever said before: Welcome Lionel Messi to the White House," Trump said.
Trump asks if Messi is better than Pelé: 5 highlights from Inter Miami White House visit
Safid Deen, USA TODAYThu, March 5, 2026 at 10:58 PM UTC
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Lionel Messi walked alongside President Donald Trump and Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas after his teammates and coaches entered the East Room of the White House to commemorate their 2025 MLS Cup title on Wednesday, March 5.
Trump began the ceremony speaking at length about Iran and Cuba, before finally introducing the club.
"It's my privilege to say what no other president has ever said before: Welcome Lionel Messi to the White House," Trump said.
Here are five highlights from Messi and Inter Miami's visit to the White House:
1 / 0Messi, Inter Miami CF honored in a White House visit(L-R) Lionel Messi of Inter Miami CF watches as U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during an event celebrating the 2025 MLS Cup Champions Inter Miami CF in the East Room of the White House on March 5, 2026 in Washington, DC. Inter Miami defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 to win their first MLS Cup championship.Trump mentions son's love for Messi, Ronaldo
Trump mentioned his son, Barron, was a big fan of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – two of sport's greatest players who could play in their sixth World Cup later this year.
"My son said Dad, 'you know who's going to be there today?' I said 'no, I got a lot of things going on today,'" Trump joked.
"He said 'Messi!' He's a big fan of yours. He thinks you're just a great person … He's a big soccer fan, a tremendous fan of yours and a gentleman named Ronaldo."
Messi, who doesn't speak English, stood and smiled as Trump spoke in his direction.
Who's better: Messi or Pelé?
Trump's has frequently mentioned his first memories of watching soccer are centered around Brazilian star Pelé, the three-time World Cup champion who played for the New York Cosmos.
Then, he digressed into a Messi or Pelé conversation – asking the crowd which of the two all-time soccer great is better?
"I don't know, you may be better. Who's better?" Trump said as he turned towards Inter Miami's players and worked the crowd.
"I think he is," Trump referencing Messi.
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Argntinian star Lionel Messi hands US President Donald Trump during an event for Inter Miami CF, winners of the 2025 Major League Soccer Cup, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 5, 2026.Trump finds Inter Miami players quite attractive
Trump made several jokes about the good-looking Inter Miami players, including Uruguayan legend Luis Suarez, Argentine World Cup champion Rodrigo De Paul and Argentine youngster Tadeo Allende – major figures in Inter Miami's 2025 season.
"What a group of people. We could have a lot of fun with these guys. You can imagine how they celebrate," Trump said.
Trump mentioned De Paul's goal in the MLS Cup, then turned around and said: "Where the hell is Rodrigo?"
De Paul turned red as he shook the president's hand.
"Do you have any bad looking players? I like the bad looking players much better," Trump joked.
US President Donald Trump greets Argentinian player Rodrigo De Paul during an event for Inter Miami CF, winners of the 2025 Major League Soccer Cup, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 5, 2026. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776469393 ORIG FILE ID: 2264330647Trump praises Messi's winning ways
Trump read his prepared notes to praise Inter Miami's accomplishments in 2025 – which included the first win by a North American team over a European club during the FIFA Club World Cup and a playoff run to the title.
Trump praised Messi after essentially saying great players come from other countries, but don't win.
"This guy won. There was tremendous fanfare, and he won," Trump said of Messi. "Leo, you came in and won. It's hard to do. … You came in and won with all that pressure."
Inter Miami's Argentine forward Lionel Messi, Inter Miami's managing owner Jorge Mas and US President Donald Trump pose with a 47 jersey and a signed ball during an event honoring Inter Miami CF, winners of the 2025 Major League Soccer Cup, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on March 5, 2026.Inter Miami owner presents Trump with gifts
Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas presented Trump with a pink Inter Miami jersey, a pink soccer ball and a limited edition Inter Mimai watch – etched with Trump's name on the back.
Mas also spoke about the club's journey from its 2019 expansion, and becoming a global brand in Major League Soccer since Messi joined in July 2023.
"It's our aspiration to continue breaking barriers and putting no limits, to making sure Major League Soccer and Inter Miami are considered among the elite in global football," Mas said.
Trump invited Messi and the club into the Oval Office, which he called "the center of the world" as the ceremony concluded.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lionel Messi better than Pele? Trump wonders at Inter Miami visit
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Source: Sports
Published: March 5, 2026 at 06:27PM on Source: PRIME TIME
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