Lionel Messi and Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas visited the White House to celebrate their 2025 Major League Soccer Cup victory. The team presented President Donald Trump with an Inter Miami jersey bearing his name and a glittering pink soccer ball trophy. During the ceremony, Trump jokingly asked the audience who was better: Pele or Messi?

This White House visit marks another milestone for Messi's impact on American soccer since joining Inter Miami. The Argentine superstar's arrival has significantly boosted the league's profile and attendance figures. The team's championship victory represents a successful first season for Messi in MLS, validating the league's strategy of attracting global soccer icons.

The trophy presentation ceremony highlights the growing intersection of sports and politics in the United States. Trump's playful comparison of Messi to Pele underscores the ongoing debate about soccer's greatest players. The event also demonstrates how MLS champions are increasingly receiving recognition at the highest levels of American government, similar to traditional major sports leagues.