Messi and Inter Miami meet Trump at White House

Watch: Messi and Inter Miami celebrate MLS Cup with visit to the White House Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami team-mates met United States president Donald Trump at the White House to commemorate the club's MLS Cup triumph . Inter Miami won the championship game of the nation's top-flight division, Major League Soccer, for the first time back in December. The club, co-owned by former England captain David Beckham, received an invitation to visit the White House before their MLS match against DC United in Washington on Saturday. Messi and his team-mates stood on stage as Trump addressed the media, celebrating their achievement after providing an update on the ongoing US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Trump said: "My son [Barron] said, 'Dad, do you know who's going to be there today?' I said, 'no, I've got a lot of things going on'. "He said, 'Messi!' He's a big fan of yours. He thinks you're a great person and I think you got to meet a little while ago." Argentina icon Messi, 38, committed his future to Miami in October with a new deal until 2028. The former Barcelona and Paris St-Germain forward became the first player in MLS history to win the Most Valuable Player award in back-to-back seasons. Addressing Messi, Trump added: "Leo claimed the 47th trophy of his incredible career - the most of all time. "You could have gone anywhere in the world, any team in the world, and you chose Miami. I just want to thank you for bringing us all on this ride." Trump added: "I shouldn't say this because I'm old, but I watched Pele play. I don't know, you may be better than Pele. Pele was pretty good." Lionel Messi has won consecutive MVP awards in the MLS Follow your club with BBC Sport Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Get football news sent straight to your phone Disillusionment and disbelief - thousands leave early as Spurs in freefall McCullum wants to stay as England coach – will he get the chance? Caf postpones Wafcon 2026 just 12 days before kick-off Could we have a four-way title fight as F1 enters a new era? A daughter’s extraordinary act to save her mother What's really going on inside the brains of pregnant women? Join Sara Cox on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Royal Library Disillusionment and disbelief - thousands leave early as Spurs in freefall India reach T20 World Cup final as England fall short. Video India reach T20 World Cup final as England fall short Norris, Verstappen, Russell - and will it be any good? Key F1 storylines How relegation could cost Spurs more than £250m 'Brave and brilliant, Russell has compelling case as Scotland's greatest' McCullum wants to stay as England coach – will he get the chance? How Old Firm cup tie could provide Premiership momentum 'Only one team tried to play' - Hurzeler criticises Arsenal Ten-man Newcastle score late winner to beat Man Utd. Video Ten-man Newcastle score late winner to beat Man Utd Meet GB's first female Paralympic snowboarder Watershed moment as Russia's sporting exile ends Why does Scotland lead the way on football headers? All you need to know about new F1 cars Haaland? Kane? R9? Ranking the best centre-forwards this century 'I cheated head-injury assessment to play on in 2017 Lions Test' 'I knew the risks, I'd do it again' - Moody opens up in new BBC documentary New era of Formula 1 - what is changing in 2026? 'There were tears - but I had to peek behind curtain of head injuries in rugby' Iran, the US, and a World Cup that starts in three months Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.