In Photos: Messi, Inter Miami CF Meet Trump at White House

President Donald Trump receives gifts from Inter Miami CF CEO and Managing Owner Jorge Mas (R) and Lionel Messi (L) of Inter Miami CF during an event celebrating the 2025 MLS Cup Champions Inter Miami CF at the White House on March 5, 2026. (Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times)

By Madalina Kilroy

Madalina Kilroy

Madalina Kilroy is a photojournalist for The Epoch Times, based in Washington, DC. She covers the White House and Capitol Hill. She has traveled extensively to cover the 2024 election.

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and Emel Akan

Emel Akan

Senior Reporter

Emel Akan is a senior White House correspondent for The Epoch Times, where she covers the policies of the Trump administration. Previously, she reported on the Biden administration and the first term of President Trump. Before her journalism career, she worked in investment banking at JPMorgan. She holds an MBA from Georgetown University.

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March 5, 2026Updated: March 5, 2026

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WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump welcomed soccer team Inter Miami CF to the White House on March 5 as the winner of the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) cup.

The team’s captain, Lionel Messi, was among the guests who met the president. Inter Miami won its first MLS Cup championship on Dec. 6, 2025, by beating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Messi provided two assists and was named the match’s most valuable player. The Argentine-born soccer player is widely considered one of the greatest of all time. He played for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain before joining Inter Miami in 2023.

David Beckham, who is the co-owner and president of Inter Miami, didn’t attend the event.

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