Messi Appears With Trump a Year After Turning Down Biden’s Invite

Lionel Messi, a soccer player for Inter Miami CF, left, as US President Donald Trump speaks during an event with Inter Miami CF in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, March 5, 2026. Inter Miami CF is visiting the White House to celebrate their 2025 championship win.Photographer: Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg

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March 5, 2026 at 11:33 PM UTC

Soccer legend Lionel Messi put aside his aversion to politics Thursday and walked alongside Donald Trump at the White House to commemorate his club championship with Inter Miami, handing the US president a rare photo-op.

Presidents have welcomed champions for decades to capitalize on the winning optics. But Messi’s visit stands apart as he’s long avoided presidential visits, and sports media speculated for days whether he’d actually go this time. In January 2025, Messi declined President Joe Biden’s invitation to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, citing schedule conflicts.