Messi joins Trump for White House visit, sparking criticism and controversy

Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi sparked plenty of criticism after he joined the Inter Miami squad for a White House visit and a meeting with United States President Donald Trump. The encounter was part of the time-honored visit of U.S. championship-winning teams to the White House. The tradition, which dates back to 1865, is celebrated every year, with the championship winners of the biggest U.S. sports leagues and other events. Inter Miami won their first-ever MLS Cup on December 6, 2025, defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3–1. The win was very Argentine-inspired, as Messi delivered two assists to Rodrigo De Paul and Tadeo Allende, securing the title for head coach Javier Mascherano’s team. Trump called it his “distinct privilege” to welcome Messi for the first time to the White House, with whom he was highly complimentary. “This guy came [to the MLS], and he won,” Trump added. “Many great players come here, they play okay, but they don’t win. But Leo, you came in, and you won. And you have a lot more pressure than the rest as well. You came in with all that pressure, and you won.” As team captain, Messi presented Trump with a personalized Inter Miami shirt and a football signed by the players. Trump also joked with the squad, claiming they’re “all good-looking people” and asking the squad if Messi was better than the late Brazilian superstar Pelé, the first major international superstar to join the U.S. football league. A controversial visit The timing of the visit drew heavy criticism towards the Inter Miami squad and Messi in particular. The ongoing U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and the escalation of violence in the Middle East left many questioning Messi’s decision to attend the ceremony. In his speech, Trump had no qualms about addressing the war with Iran, the situation in Venezuela and a potential move on Cuba. “The United States military, together with the wonderful Israeli partners, continues to totally demolish the enemy, far ahead of schedule and at levels that people have never seen before,” ⁠Trump said. Many were quick to point out Messi clapping and nodding during the announcements, although it’s important to note that the Argentine superstar does not speak English and that no translation was provided for the players during the ceremony. Messi’s mere presence drew criticism internationally.  Spanish-Moroccan sports journalist Leyla Hamed called the players’ reaction to the announcements “bizarre.” “They allowed themselves to be dragged into it,” she wrote on her X account. “What’s the point of having so much influence and power if you can’t use it in moments like this?” International relations journalist Richard Medhurst argued athletes shouldn’t be “lending legitimacy” to Trump and questioned the lack of “plans to boycott the World Cup.” Criticism in Argentina Messi’s position also landed him in hot water in Argentina.  Several fans and journalists questioned his decision to attend the ceremony, which inevitably lent some of his credibility to Trump’s anti-immigrant policies, the deaths of protesters at the hands of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. intervention in Venezuela, allegations of child sexual abuse, and the war against Iran. “I expected nothing of him in political terms,” wrote journalist Roberto Navarro on his X account. “But I also didn’t expect him to applaud a monster.” Others suggested Messi, who’s repeatedly gone out of his way to appear as politically neutral as possible, may not have seen his participation in the ceremony as an endorsement.  This outlook was criticized by journalist Flavio Azzaro, who said Messi “isn’t stupid” and could’ve rejected the invitation. “Do you think he isn’t aware that this photo is going to go around the world?” he asked. Some critics also pointed out that Messi and the 2022 Qatar winners refused to attend the Casa Rosada after returning to Argentina as World Cup champions, opting not to pose with the trophy next to then-president Albert Fernández on the balcony.