Lionel Messi listened on awkwardly as Donald Trump ranted about Iran and mentioned his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo during Inter Miami’s visit to the White House on Thursday.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who is regarded by many as the greatest soccer player in history, was all smiles as he linked up with the president in Washington DC, where Miami are being honored after winning their first ever MLS Cup last season.
As his teammates waited on stage, Messi walked out for the ceremony by Trump’s side before standing close by as he opened up his speech by discussing the ongoing conflict with Iran.
‘The United States military together with the wonderful Israeli partners, continuous to totally demolish the enemy, at levels people have never seen before. We are destroying Iran’s missiles,’ Trump said with the World Cup winner right next to him.
He then turned his attention to the ‘great champions’ in attendance at the White House and singled out Messi for particular praise.
‘My son [Barron] said, “Dad do you know who’s gonna be there today?” I said no, I’ve got a lot of things going on. He said, “Messi!” He’s a big fan, he’s a big fan of yours, he thinks you’re just a great person and I think you got to meet a little while ago.’
Lionel Messi listened on awkwardly as Donald Trump ranted about Iran at the White House
The soccer icon emerged for Inter Miami’s MLS Cup ceremony alongside Trump on Thursday
Trump then added about Messi’s famous nemesis of the last two decades: ‘He’s a big soccer fan but he’s a tremendous fan of yours, and a gentleman named Ronaldo.’
He then went on to congratulate Miami over their MLS Cup triumph in a long-winded speech before allowing Inter owner Jorge Mas to say a few words.
Messi was making his first trip to the White House on Thursday, just over a year after he was forced to decline ex-president Joe Biden’s invitation to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
His management team said at the time of the snub: ‘Messi said he is deeply honored and it is a profound privilege to receive the recognition but would be unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts and prior commitments.
‘Messi appreciated the gesture and noted he hopes to have the opportunity to meet Biden in the near future.’
Trump has now met both of the two leading soccer players of the 21st century within a matter of months, having also invited Cristiano Ronaldo to the White House in November.
Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, and fiancee Georgina Rodriguez were in attendance as the president hosted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman at a glitzy black-tie dinner event along with a host of other world leaders and VIPs.
Trump first discussed ‘destroying Iran’s missiles’ while Messi and his teammates watched on
He then referenced Messi’s arch-rival Ronaldo, who also visited the White House in November
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner inspired Inter Miami to MLS Cup glory last season
Trump told Messi that his son Barron is a huge fan of his during the ceremony on Thursday
The trio shared a laugh and a joke while taking a stroll together away from the dinner, before Cristiano and Georgina were invited into the Oval Office.
Just eight years after being founded by an ownership group that includes English soccer icon David Beckham, Miami became MLS champions for the first time last season.
Messi was on hand with 29 goals in 28 appearances for Javier Mascherano’s men, who secured a 3-1 win over Vancouver in the MLS Cup final.
Their title defense has got off to a mixed start this season after they bounced back from an opening 3-0 defeat to LAFC in a 4-2 win over Orlando City.
