Lionel Messi, Inter Miami to Visit Trump's White House After MLS Title

The 2025 MLS Cup champions will celebrate their victory at the White House before a match against D.C. United.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 5:39am

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Inter Miami, the 2025 MLS Cup champions, are set to visit the White House and meet with former President Donald Trump to celebrate their title win. The team, which includes Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, will make the trip on March 5, just two days before their match against D.C. United.

Why it matters

This will mark Messi's first visit to the White House, after he was unable to attend when he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2025 due to a scheduling conflict. The visit also continues a tradition of American sports champions being invited to the White House, though the topic has become somewhat controversial in recent years.

The details

According to a club source, the entire Inter Miami team is expected to attend the White House visit, meaning Messi, the two-time MLS MVP, will likely be present. This will be Trump's second meeting with a soccer superstar, as he previously hosted Cristiano Ronaldo at the White House in November 2025.

  • The White House visit is scheduled for March 5, 2026.
  • Inter Miami won the 2025 MLS Cup on December 6, 2025.
  • Inter Miami will face D.C. United on March 7, 2026, two days after the White House visit.

The players

Lionel Messi

Argentine soccer superstar and two-time MLS MVP who plays for Inter Miami.

Donald Trump

Former President of the United States who will host the Inter Miami team at the White House.

Inter Miami

The 2025 MLS Cup champions, who will visit the White House to celebrate their title win.

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What’s next

Inter Miami will face Orlando City in their second match of the 2026 MLS season on Sunday, March 1, just a few days before the White House visit.

The takeaway

This visit continues the tradition of sports champions being invited to the White House, though the practice has become somewhat controversial in recent years. It also marks Messi's first trip to the White House, after he was unable to attend a previous award ceremony there.