Argentine footballer Javier Mascherano has expressed discontent with United States President Donald Trump’s comments about the Iran war during Inter Miami’s visit to the White House on March 5, 2026, following their 2025 Major League Soccer Cup triumph.

During the ceremony, the US President touched on the progress Israel and US forces are making in their missile attacks on Iran and outlined his plans for the future.

Reacting after the visit, Mascherano said the purpose of the gathering was to honor the team for their success in winning the Major League Soccer Cup.

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He noted that it was surprising the meeting was used to discuss the war, as this did not align with what had been agreed upon beforehand.

“We were told the visit would simply be to congratulate us on our title and that we’d only talk about football, but that’s not how it turned out. We arrived early, waited, saw very little of the White House, and only saw the president during the moment shown on TV,” he lamented.

“We’re mature enough to separate things. The visit was scheduled more than two months ago, so we simply followed the protocol that had already been agreed. We’re aware the current situation in the world is different from when the visit was first arranged,” Mascherano told the Miami Herald.

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.

SB/MA

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