Trump Meets Messi at White House, Brings Up Ronaldo

Former president invites Inter Miami squad to visit, teases Messi about longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Former U.S. President Donald Trump invited Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates to the White House, where he immediately brought up Messi's longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo, saying "Cristiano is great, you are great, so many great champions and athletes in your sport and it's an honour for the White House to be honouring you today."

Why it matters

The meeting between Trump and Messi, two of the most famous figures in sports and politics, is notable as it brings together the worlds of soccer, celebrity, and U.S. politics in an unexpected way.

The details

Trump welcomed Messi and the rest of the Inter Miami squad to the White House, where he immediately referenced Messi's long-standing rivalry with Ronaldo, another global soccer superstar. The two have competed against each other for years, both on the field and in the public spotlight, making Trump's comments a somewhat surprising and potentially awkward moment.

  • The meeting took place on March 6, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who invited Messi and the Inter Miami team to the White House.

Lionel Messi

The Argentine soccer star who plays for Inter Miami and was invited to the White House by Trump.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Messi's longtime rival, another global soccer superstar, whom Trump referenced during the White House meeting.

Inter Miami

The soccer team that Messi plays for, which was invited to the White House by Trump.

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What they’re saying

“Cristiano is great, you are great, so many great champions and athletes in your sport and it's an honour for the White House to be honouring you today.”

— Donald Trump

The takeaway

The meeting between Trump and Messi, two of the most famous figures in sports and politics, highlights the intersection of celebrity, soccer, and U.S. politics, while also referencing the longstanding rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo.