Lionel Messi, the global soccer superstar, visited the White House as part of the MLS team Inter Miami's celebration of their recent championship victory. During the meeting with President Trump, Messi was warmly greeted, and Trump congratulated him on the team’s first MLS Cup win, which took place in December last year. The tradition of inviting championship-winning sports teams to the White House is a long-standing one in American sports culture.

During the event, Trump shared a personal touch by mentioning his son's admiration for Messi, adding a nostalgic moment as he reflected on witnessing legendary player Pelé play in the U.S. Trump quizzed the audience on who was the better player between Messi and Pelé, ultimately pointing to Messi as his choice. This interaction highlighted Messi's esteemed status in the realm of sports and showcased the significance of his achievements not just in soccer but also in American sports culture.

Messi presented President Trump with mementos, including his jersey and a soccer ball, further solidifying the connection between international soccer talent and American political figures. However, Messi refrained from making any public statements to the media during this visit, preferring to keep the focus on the ceremonial aspect of the occasion rather than engaging in a political discourse.