Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF visited the White House on Thursday to meet with President Donald Trump, celebrating the club’s 2025 MLS Cup victory. The team traveled to Washington D.C. ahead of their weekend match against D.C. United, with Messi’s decisive free-kick in the final securing the 2-1 win over Porto.
The stat: Messi’s stunning free-kick in the MLS Cup final was his 10th direct free-kick goal for Inter Miami across all competitions since joining the club, underlining his continued set-piece mastery in Major League Soccer.
What this means: The visit marks a significant moment of recognition for Inter Miami’s rapid rise, with the club receiving the traditional champions’ honor at the White House just two years after Messi’s arrival.
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NutmegXtra’s take: While David Beckham’s absence was notable, seeing Messi receive this honor stateside underscores how his arrival has fundamentally elevated the profile and now the trophy haul of American soccer.