Trump claims Messi 'better than Pele' during White House celebration with Inter Miami

Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami team-mates met United States president Donald Trump at the White House to commemorate the club's MLS Cup triumph. Inter Miami won the championship game of the nation's top-flight division, Major League Soccer, for the first time back in December. The club, co-owned by former England captain David Beckham, received an invitation to visit the White House before their MLS match against DC United in Washington on Saturday. Messi and his team-mates stood on stage as Trump addressed the media, celebrating their achievement after providing an update on the ongoing US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Trump said: "My son [Barron] said, 'Dad, do you know who's going to be there today?' I said, 'no, I've got a lot of things going on'. "He said, 'Messi!' He's a big fan of yours. He thinks you're a great person and I think you got to meet a little while ago." Subscribe to The Standard: https://www.standard.co.uk/register for latest breaking news from the UK, US and around the world, plus podcasts and features. Evening Standard on socials: Check out our full video catalog: youtube.com/channel/UC7RQon_YwCnp_LbPtEwW65w?sub_confirmation=1 Videos, daily editorial and more: https://www.standard.co.uk/ Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/TheLondonStandard Follow us on Twitter: x.com/theLDNstandard and Instagram: instagram.com/thelondonstandard