Former FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami CF team-mates were invited to the White House to meet U.S. President Donald Trump following the club’s historic championship victory.
The invitation came after Inter Miami won the championship game of the nation’s top-flight division, Major League Soccer, for the first time back in December.
The victory marked a landmark achievement for the Florida-based club and cemented one of the most remarkable seasons in the league’s recent history.
Here, Florida News Blitz writer Joshua Topping takes a closer look at Messi’s impact, showing how he has turned Inter Miami into champions and MLS into a global sensation.
Messi’s impact on MLS
Messi has been central to Inter Miami’s transformation since joining the club.
The former Paris Saint‑Germain F.C. forward quickly became the face of MLS, drawing global attention to the league with his performances and leadership on the pitch.
During the championship-winning campaign, Messi produced another standout season.
He became the first player in MLS history to win the league’s Most Valuable Player award in back-to-back seasons, further strengthening his reputation as one of the greatest players the sport has ever seen.
Since arriving in the United States, Messi has helped increase match attendance, television viewership and worldwide interest in MLS, with fans across the country eager to see the Argentine legend in action.
Donald Trump said: “You could have gone anywhere in the world, any team in the world, and you chose Miami. I just want to thank you for bringing us all on this ride.”
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A White House tradition
Inviting championship teams to the White House is a long-standing tradition in American sport and Inter Miami’s visit follows in the footsteps of many title-winning teams from across the country.
During the meeting, Trump congratulated the players and coaching staff on their historic achievement and recognized the role the team has played in raising the profile of soccer in the United States.
Several high-profile team-mates joined Messi, including his former Barcelona colleagues Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, all of whom played key roles throughout the season.
A milestone for Inter Miami
The club, which is co-owned by former England captain David Beckham, has grown rapidly in global prominence since Messi’s arrival.
The MLS Cup victory in December represented the most significant achievement in the team’s short history.
For many fans, the White House invitation reflects how dramatically the club’s profile has risen in just a few years.
With Messi continuing to perform at an elite level and MLS gaining international attention, Inter Miami’s visit to the White House stands as another sign of the league’s growing influence on the global football stage.
