Lionel Messi joined his Inter Miami teammates for a special reception at the White House on Thursday, invited by US President Donald Trump to mark the club’s Major League Soccer Cup title claimed in December 2025.
The MLS Cup success pushed Messi’s personal collection of team silverware to 48 across his club and international career, cementing another milestone in the Argentine maestro’s decorated journey.
During the event, Trump disclosed that the football icon owns more trophies than any other player in history and floated the idea that Messi could rank above Brazilian legend Pelé.
“You could have gone anywhere in the world, any team in the world, and you chose Miami. I just want to thank you for bringing us all on this ride.”
The president went on to reflect on his memories of watching Pelé in action, admitting his age before drawing a bold comparison.
“I shouldn’t say this because I’m old, but I watched Pele play. I don’t know, you may be better than Pele. Pele was pretty good.”
Trump described the moment as a historic first for any American leader, calling it a “distinct privilege” to welcome Messi to the White House, which “no American president has ever had the chance to say before”.
The visit follows Trump’s earlier hosting of Cristiano Ronaldo at the White House back in November 2025.
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