aAll eyes were on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami’s visit, but that wasn’t the only thing that drew attention at the White House this Thursday. Alex Rodriguez, former New York Yankees player and current co-owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves, attended the celebration in Washington, D.C.
Is there a connection between Alex Rodriguez and Inter Miami?
Among the group of celebrities in attendance at the White House, MLS Commissioner Don Garber also stood out, but Alex Rodriguez’s presence has nothing to do with MLS clubs, at least for now.
The truth is, the former MLB star has long been associated with the city of Miami, and it appears President Donald Trump invited him to participate in the ceremony.
The president posed for a photo with A-Rod in the Oval Office before the ceremony and mentioned A-Rod during a speech in the East Room, calling himself a “huge fan” of the baseball star.
Donald Trump also recalled an anecdote about when he sat next to the team’s late owner, George Steinbrenner, and watched Rodriguez play for the New York Yankees.
Thursday’s ceremony paid tribute to MLS Cup champion Inter Miami. The club is co-owned by soccer legend David Beckham and is home to Lionel Messi, considered by many to be one of the greatest soccer players in history.
President Trump and the Argentine star entered the East Room of the White House together and later shook hands in front of the event’s audience.
During the ceremony, Messi helped present several gifts to the president. These include an Inter Miami jersey with the number 47 and his name on the back, a pink Inter Miami soccer ball with gemstone inlays, and a limited edition Tudor watch.
Donald Trump has been full of praise for the Argentina captain, even saying he was better than Pell, recalling watching the New York Cosmos play in the 1970s.
“Who’s better, him or Pell?” Trump asked the Inter Miami players standing behind him, before pointing at Messi. “I think he is, but Pell was pretty good too. Pell was very good.”
The event included a slightly awkward moment in which the president, while talking about his youngest son, mentioned another soccer superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo, who visited the White House in November.
“(Baron) is a big fan of yours,” President Trump told Messi. “He thinks you’re a great person. He’s a big fan of you and of this gentleman named Ronaldo…Cristiano is great. There are great champions and extraordinary athletes in this sport.”
