Posted by Samuel on Fri 06th Mar, 2026 - tori.ng
Messi and his Inter Miami team-mates were attending a reception, to celebrate winning MLS Cup for the first time in club history.
Donald Trump, the U.S. president, praised football legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Pelé during Lionel Messi’s visit to the White House on Thursday.
Messi and his Inter Miami team-mates were attending a reception, to celebrate winning MLS Cup for the first time in club history.
It was the first time the 39-year-old had visited the White House after his rival, Ronaldo attended a dinner there last November.
Trump said: “My son said, ‘Dad, do you know who’s going to be there today?’ I said, ‘No, I got a lot of things going on.’ He said, ‘Messi.’
“So he’s a big soccer fan, but he’s a tremendous fan of yours. And a gentleman named Ronaldo. Cristiano is great. You’re great.”
Trump also compared Messi with Brazilian legend Pele, who played for the New York Cosmos in the US.
“You may be better than Pele,” Trump said, before asking the crowd, “Who’s better?”