Lionel Messi has been criticized for meeting US President Donald Trump at a White House event honoring the Argentine superstar and his Inter Miami team, praising his latest overview of the Iran war.
Messi received high praise from President Trump in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, but the Miami captain faced backlash on social media for meeting with the president and applauding him.
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Miami won the Major League Soccer (MLS) title in December by defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps, and Messi was named league MVP for the second consecutive season.
“It’s my special privilege to say the words no American president has ever been able to say: ‘Welcome to the White House, Lionel Messi,'” Trump said, standing next to the 38-year-old.
“Leo, you went out there and you won. It’s very difficult. It’s very, very unusual and, frankly, there’s a lot more pressure on you than anyone realizes, because you were kind of expecting to win, and almost no one wins.”
Messi, who attended the ceremony with President Trump, joined Inter Miami in mid-2023 with great fanfare. He did not speak during the event, but he began with comments about President Trump’s military actions, mentioned the war with Iran, and extended his political speech to highlight the situation in Venezuela and possible future announcements on Cuba and tariffs.
Trump began by boasting about the ongoing U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran that began Saturday and killed 1,230 people.
The Iranian government responded by firing waves of missiles and drones at several military bases in the Middle East where Israeli and U.S. forces operate.
“The U.S. military, along with our incredible Israeli partners, continues to completely destroy our enemy, far ahead of schedule and at a level people have never seen before,” Trump said, looking at Messi standing next to him.
“Our people are doing a great job once again. This is the best military anyone has ever had,” the president concluded.
His words were met with applause from Messi, the Miami team and others present.
However, the former Barcelona forward quickly became the target of criticism on social media, where he was accused of being drawn into politics and praising President Trump for boasting about US military actions in Iran.
“Empty and selfish people,” Palestinian-American writer Ali Abunimah wrote, citing a video clip of the event.
“Lionel Messi applauds when President Trump talks about his plan to defeat Iran. Are you a fan of Messi?” wrote Halal Nation, founder of Halal Tribune, which has an estimated 500,000 subscribers, on X.
Spanish journalist Leila Hamed described Messi and his team’s behavior as “bizarre” amid ongoing conflicts across the Middle East.
“Donald Trump casually announced further illegal bombing of Iran in front of his entire Inter Miami team,” she wrote.
Hamed noted that hundreds of children have been killed in Iran in recent days.
The deadliest single incident in Iran’s southeastern city of Minab on Saturday killed 165 girls at an elementary school.
“Mr. Trump knew exactly what he was doing with these athletes, and they allowed themselves to be caught up in it,” she added.
“What’s the point of having so much influence and power if you can’t use it at a time like this?
“Most of these players have children…”
American football fan account Tactical Manager on YouTube also reacted to Messi’s appearance at the White House in Miami. Messi’s former strike partner at Barcelona, Luis Suarez, was also in attendance.
“Never thought I’d live to see Donald Trump talk about bombing other countries with Messi and Suarez in the background,” the account reads.
Several other fans and fan groups also expressed their displeasure.
Messi presents President Trump with signed Inter Miami ball
President Trump appears to have used the ceremony to rally athletic and military power.
After surveying the team, the president singled out Argentine midfielder Rodrigo de Paul and asked: “Are there any players who look bad?”
“I don’t like good-looking men,” Trump joked, adding, “You just don’t feel that good about yourself.”
While Messi famously avoids speaking out about politics, the president turned the conversation back to sports.
“You could have gone anywhere in the world. You could have chosen any team in the world. And you chose to go to Miami. I don’t blame you. The weather is very nice. Are you going to Doral? Are you going to Doral and play golf?” Trump said, referring to the golf course he owns.
“I just want to thank you for taking us all on this journey, because you are such a passionate, talented, and amazing person.”
Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, led Argentina to victory at the 2022 World Cup. He is expected to play for Argentina again this summer in tournaments hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
However, recent events such as the Middle East conflict and the turmoil in Mexico following the death of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera in a military operation have overshadowed soccer’s global success.
President Trump opened the ceremony with comments about the conflict with Iran, but did not mention the World Cup.
Messi presented Trump with an autographed Inter Miami football, and Trump went on to reveal the love his 19-year-old son Barron has for Messi.
“My son said, ‘Dad, do you know who’s coming today?’ I said, ‘No, a lot of things happened today,'” Trump said. “He said, ‘Messi!'” He’s your biggest fan. He thinks you’re just a great person. And I think we should have met a while ago. I mean, he’s a big soccer fan, but he’s also a big fan of yours. And a gentleman named Ronaldo. Cristiano is great. you are amazing ”
Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi’s longtime rival in European soccer, attended a White House event with President Trump last year.
President Trump ventured into the field of soccer history, telling Messi, “You might be better than Pele,” and asking those in attendance, “Who’s better?”
Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas and coach Javier Mascherano presented the US president with a “team jersey” and a watch.
Miami will be the first MLS team to be invited to the White House during President Trump’s two terms.
