Inter Miami FC's championship-winning roster received presidential recognition Thursday afternoon as the team visited the White House to celebrate their 2025 MLS Cup triumph over the Vancouver Whitecaps. The ceremony marked a significant milestone for the franchise and represented Argentine superstar Lionel Messi's inaugural visit to the executive residence.
President Donald Trump temporarily set aside pressing international matters to host the Florida-based soccer club at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The event featured the traditional exchange of commemorative items, with team owner Jorge Mas and Messi presenting the president with several specially prepared gifts recognizing both the championship achievement and the historic nature of the visit.
The presentation included a customized team jersey bearing the number 47, corresponding to Trump's position as the 47th President of the United States. Additionally, the team provided a specially designed soccer ball commemorating their MLS Cup victory. However, the centerpiece of the gift exchange proved to be a limited edition Inter Miami pink Tudor watch, which Mas indicated featured an engraving of the president's initials on the reverse side.
Trump acknowledged the significance of the occasion for Messi, noting it represented the 38-year-old footballer's first visit to the White House. The president also revealed a personal connection to the event, mentioning that his son Barron Trump, an avowed admirer of the soccer legend, had met with Messi earlier in the day prior to the official ceremony.
The gathering attracted additional prominent figures from the sports world. Former Major League Baseball star Alex Rodriguez, who serves as an ambassador for the city of Miami, attended the White House ceremony, adding to the star-studded nature of the event.
Following the celebratory visit to the nation's capital, Inter Miami FC will redirect their focus to competitive play. The team is scheduled to face D.C. United on Saturday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, continuing their campaign in the new season.
The White House visit represents a traditional honor extended to championship-winning professional sports teams, allowing them to celebrate their achievements at the highest level of American government. For Inter Miami FC, the 2025 MLS Cup victory and subsequent presidential recognition mark a high point in the franchise's relatively brief history and underscore the growing prominence of Major League Soccer within the American sports landscape.