Inter Miami got the presidential treatment on Thursday, but it wasn't your typical White House ceremony. President Donald Trump admitted he completely forgot the MLS champions were coming. "I got a lot of things going on," he said with a shrug.
The 79-year-old president went off on some wild tangents during the event. He introduced Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a "proud Miami sports fan" and predicted he'd be the best in the country's history. But then things got weird.
As the crowd applauded Rubio, Trump muttered something strange. "I don't want him to get too popular," he said quietly at first. Then he repeated it louder: "I don't want him to get too popular!" He even joked about making people disappear when they get too famous.
Trump Meets Messi
The real story was Lionel Messi's presence at the White House. Trump apparently had no clue one of football's all-time greats was coming until his son Barron told him. The Argentine superstar became the first active player of his caliber to visit a US president.
Trump tried to show off his soccer knowledge by mentioning the old New York Cosmos and Brazilian legend Pelé. He even jokingly asked who was better between Pelé and Messi, though most football fans know that's a debate for the ages.
The president seemed particularly impressed with the Inter Miami squad's appearance. He singled out Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez after recalling one of his goals. Then Trump made another odd comment about not liking "good-looking men," saying he felt uncomfortable standing next to the attractive roster.
What This Means for Inter Miami
For Inter Miami fans and bettors, this visit cements the club's status as American soccer royalty. Having Messi in MLS has transformed the league's profile globally. The attention could boost Inter Miami's odds as favorites for another MLS Cup run this season.
The ceremony highlighted how much Messi has changed American soccer's landscape. Bookmakers have consistently made Inter Miami one of the shortest-priced teams since his arrival. With the squad staying together and gaining this kind of recognition, expect them to remain strong betting favorites throughout 2025.
Trump's rambling speech might have stolen headlines, but the real takeaway is simple: Inter Miami and Messi continue to dominate American soccer both on and off the pitch.
