The United States President Donald Trump welcomes Lionel Messi and Inter Miami players to the White House on Thursday, March 5. He spoke about Cristiano Ronaldo during his speech, resulting in a cheeky reaction from the Argentine.
Donald Trump Talks About Cristiano Ronaldo After Welcoming Lionel Messi
Inter Miami beat the Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup last season and received an invitation to the White House, with the US President also reading a short match report recalling the game. The Argentine’s maiden visit saw him meet with the president’s son, Barron, before making an appearance before the media.
Welcoming the Inter Miami players, Trump spoke highly of the club captain, Messi. He revealed that his teenage son was a big fan of the Argentine, adding that he looks up to him as a great person.
Messi & Trump in the White House 🏠. Spectacular.
After Trump invited Ronaldo, He invited Messi as Well.
Two Great Legends of the Game ⚽️💼 pic.twitter.com/1YTnElpOQK
— BB Buzz (@thebbbuzz) March 6, 2026
Messi was spotted patiently listening before breaking into a smirk when the president mentioned Ronaldo. Trump named the Portuguese superstar as another player whom Barron looks up to, saying that the Al-Nassr captain was a great athlete.
“It’s my privilege to say what no other president has ever said before, welcome to the White House, Lionel Messi. He (Barron) is a big fan of yours. He thinks you’re just a great person. He’s a tremendous fan of yours, as well as a gentleman named Ronaldo. Cristiano is a great, some big champions, some great, great athletes in that sport.”
The US President went on to hail Messi as a better player than Pelé, recalling how he watched the Brazilian great play. He quizzed the Inter Miami players if he was right to say that the Argentine was the better player, and they agreed in unison, along with the media present at the White House.
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Messi’s visit comes just months after Ronaldo was present at the White House for a dinner along with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The US President spoke about Barron meeting the Al-Nassr captain, jokingly adding that he would get more respect as a father because he made it possible for his son to meet the Portuguese superstar.
“My son is a big fan of Ronaldo. Barron got to meet him, and I think he respects his father a little bit more now, just the fact that I introduced you. So I just want to thank you both.”
Inter Miami are in the capital this week as they gear up to face D.C. United in the MLS. They come into the match after a 4-2 come-from-behind win over Orlando City in the Florida derby.
