{"id":25140,"date":"2026-03-06T23:49:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T23:49:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/06\/how-messi-hooked-donald-trump-in-a-way-cristiano-ronaldo-couldnt\/"},"modified":"2026-03-06T23:49:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T23:49:08","slug":"how-messi-hooked-donald-trump-in-a-way-cristiano-ronaldo-couldnt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/06\/how-messi-hooked-donald-trump-in-a-way-cristiano-ronaldo-couldnt\/","title":{"rendered":"How Messi hooked Donald Trump in a way Cristiano Ronaldo couldn’t"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Inter Miami CF captain Lionel Messi visits the White House with his teammates after winning the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) season on Thursday, March 5, 2026, in a ceremony led by US President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n
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Inter Miami gathers at the White House for MLS Cup, Lionel Messi arrives with Donald Trump<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
The visit was part of a tradition in U.S. sports in which winning teams from major professional leagues are invited to the presidential mansion to celebrate their titles.<\/p>\n
During the event, President Trump welcomed the Florida club team, praised the team’s sporting achievements and highlighted the presence of Argentina’s star players. In his speech, the President began the meeting by mentioning various international issues before congratulating the winning team.<\/p>\n
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we like winners<\/p>\n
donald trump<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
President Trump said this when welcoming the Inter Miami team.<\/p>\n
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President Trump compares Messi and Pele<\/h2>\n
One of the most memorable moments of the ceremony was when the US president recalled legendary Brazilian Pele’s time with the New York Cosmos in the 1970s.<\/p>\n
President Trump claimed to have had the opportunity to watch Messi play and compared him directly.<\/p>\n
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Who do you think is better, Pele or him? I think he is.<\/p>\n
donald trump<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
the president said, pointing to the Argentine captain.<\/p>\n
The statement immediately resonated on social media, as the debate over who is the best soccer player of all time is usually fought between fans of different generations.<\/p>\n
Inter Miami presence<\/h2>\n
Several players and coaching staff from Javier Mascherano’s team were also present at the event.<\/p>\n
Among the footballers who accompanied Messi were Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez and Argentine midfielder Rodrigo de Paul, both of whom were key players in the team.<\/p>\n
Trump even joked during the ceremony, using the word “soccer,” which is the name football is known in the United States.<\/p>\n
Mexican striker also participates<\/h2>\n
In addition to Messi, one of the players who drew attention at the ceremony was Argentinian-born Mexican striker German Belterrame, who recently joined Inter Miami.<\/p>\n
The striker, who starred for CF Monterrey and the Mexican national football team, has emerged as one of Javier Aguirre’s attacking options ahead of his future international career.<\/p>\n
A historic visit for Messi<\/h2>\n
This was the first time Messi visited the White House. In January 2025, he was invited by then-President Joe Biden to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, but due to scheduling conflicts, he did not attend.<\/p>\n
The event also marked Inter Miami’s stay in Washington for an MLS match against DC United in the early rounds of the 2026 season.<\/p>\n
important facts<\/h2>\n
Inter Miami visited the White House as the 2025 MLS Champions. The ceremony was led by Donald Trump. Trump compared Lionel Messi to Pele and said the Argentine might be better. Luis Su\u00e1rez, Rodrigo de Paul and German Belterrame were also present. This is Messi’s first visit to the White House.<\/p>\n
Messi and Inter Miami’s presence in the presidential palace reflects the impact the club and MLS have achieved globally, especially since the Argentine star’s arrival in American soccer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n