Messi Set for Historic White House Meeting with President Trump
Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates are scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House on March 5, according to a report from The Athletic. The visit is intended to celebrate the team's recent Major League Soccer Cup victory, a significant milestone for the club.
First-Time Visit for Eight-Time Ballon d'Or Winner
This meeting will not only be the first encounter between Messi and Trump but also marks the inaugural White House visit for the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner. A White House official has confirmed the MLS club's appointment at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, which is set to occur just days before Inter Miami faces D.C. United on March 7.
Interestingly, Messi was previously invited to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom by former President Joe Biden in January 2025. However, he was compelled to decline the honour due to an unavoidable scheduling conflict, making this upcoming event his long-awaited debut at the executive mansion.
Trump's Sporting Diplomacy Ahead of World Cup
President Trump's planned engagement with Messi and his teammates comes strategically ahead of this summer's North American World Cup, highlighting the intersection of sports and politics. Notably, Messi's long-standing rival Cristiano Ronaldo visited Trump's White House in November, accompanying Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman during a diplomatic gathering.
Security Scare in Puerto Rico Friendly Match
In a related development, Messi narrowly escaped injury during a recent early-season friendly match in Puerto Rico against Independiente del Valle. The incident unfolded when a shirtless pitch invader sprinted from behind the Miami goal in the 88th minute, charging directly towards the Argentine superstar.
The 38-year-old football icon is accustomed to extreme levels of adoration from fans, but this particular supporter grabbed Messi from behind in a brief embrace. A security guard, lagging dangerously behind, eventually caught up and in a state of panic attempted to haul the fan off Messi. Unfortunately, the guard inadvertently pulled the soccer legend to the turf, resulting in all three men ending up in a tangled heap.
Messi managed to rise back to his feet, appearing visibly irritated but fortunately unharmed. Prior to this alarming episode, two other young fans had invaded the pitch to take photographs with their hero when the shirtless individual unexpectedly joined the fray, catching Messi completely by surprise.
Strange Evening During Rescheduled Match
The entire episode created a bizarre moment during what was already an unusual evening of football. Inter Miami's season has commenced with this friendly match, which was originally scheduled for February 13 but had to be postponed due to Messi battling a tight hamstring.
This rearranged game occurred merely five days after Inter Miami began their MLS season with a disappointing 3-0 loss against Son Heung-min's LAFC. The team now faces a quick turnaround, with Thursday's friendly followed by a match against local rivals Orlando City on Sunday, just seventy-two hours later.
The combination of Messi's upcoming historic White House visit and the recent security scare in Puerto Rico underscores the intense scrutiny and excitement surrounding the football legend as he navigates both celebratory events and on-field challenges during this pivotal season.
