Trump hails Messi as better than Pele

President Donald Trump declared Lionel Messi “may be better than Pele” during a White House ceremony on Thursday honoring Inter Miami’s 2025 MLS Cup triumph, injecting the president into soccer’s enduring greatest-of-all-time debate.

The event in the East Room marked Messi’s first White House visit. Trump opened with extended remarks on Iran and Cuba before welcoming the club. He noted that his son Barron had urged him to attend, saying: “Dad, do you know who’s going to be there today? … Messi!”

Turning to the Argentine superstar, Trump recalled watching the Brazilian legend play for the New York Cosmos in the 1970s. “I shouldn’t say this because I’m old, but I watched Pele play,” Trump said. “I don’t know, you may be better than Pele. Pele was pretty good.” He then polled the room: “Who’s better, him or Pele?” When the crowd responded “Messi,” Trump nodded and said: “I think he is.”

The president also praised Cristiano Ronaldo as “great” and lauded Messi’s trophy haul, noting he has won a record 47 professional titles. Trump thanked Messi for choosing Miami: “You could have gone anywhere in the world, any team in the world, and you chose Miami.”

Messi, who does not speak English, stood smiling alongside Trump and co-owner Jorge Mas as the ceremony unfolded. Inter Miami’s visit came ahead of their Saturday match against DC United in Washington.

Trump has previously named Pele as his all-time greatest—calling him “so great” and likening him to Babe Ruth. But on Thursday, standing beside the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, he offered a rare concession: Messi just might be the exception.