Global Icon Meets the Oval Office: President Trump Honors Lionel Messi and Inter Miami at the White House

During his speech, Trump emphasized the massive impact Messi has had on the sport within the United States, crediting him with transforming Major League Soccer into a global talking point. He praised Messi’s decision to join Inter Miami over other international offers, suggesting that the "hot and talented" star could have gone anywhere in the world but chose to commit to the Miami project. This commitment, according to Trump, has elevated the league's status and allowed American soccer to "play with the big boys" on the international stage.