US President Donald Trump has weighed in on one of football’s longest-running debates when he met Lionel Messi and the Inter Miami CF squad at the White House on Thursday, March 5, 2026, following their 2025 Major League Soccer Cup triumph.

Messi, alongside Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas and several members of the club, visited the White House as part of celebrations for their successful MLS season.

During the ceremony, the Argentine captain and Mas presented Trump with an Inter Miami jersey bearing his name, along with a glittering pink soccer ball trophy.

The moment also sparked a light-hearted discussion about one of football’s most famous comparison, Messi versus Pelé.

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While addressing the gathering, Trump recalled watching the Brazilian legend play in the United States during his time with the New York Cosmos in the old North American Soccer League.

“I shouldn’t say this because you’ll say I’m old, but I watched Pele play. He played for the Cosmos, you know that? Steve Ross was a great friend. He was way ahead of time and he started the Cosmos team and he wanted to get some good players. So he started with Pelé,” Trump said.

The US president then turned to Messi while addressing the crowd, playfully raising the debate over who was the greater player.

“I don’t know, you may be better than Pele. Pele was pretty good. Who’s better? Him [Messi] or Pele? That’s him. I agree. I think he is. But Pele was pretty good, right?” he concluded.

The exchange drew laughter from the room, adding a humorous moment to an occasion meant to honour Inter Miami’s MLS Cup success.

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