The recent visit of Lionel Messi and the "Inter Miami" team to the White House sparked public discussion following their meeting with President Donald Trump. This event was timed to coincide with the club's triumph in the 2025 MLS Cup. However, during the official event, Trump unexpectedly began discussing controversial political issues, such as relations with Iran and Cuba, which elicited negative reactions from some fans. Videos emerged on social media showing Iranian fans protesting by burning Messi jerseys.
Javier Mascherano, the head coach of "Inter Miami," noted that the players were under the impression that the meeting would focus on their sporting achievements and congratulations on the title. Nevertheless, the political discussion introduced unexpected changes to the event's agenda. At the same time, club co-owner Jorge Mas shared information about Messi's financial earnings, stating that his annual income ranges from 70 to 80 million dollars, including salary, bonuses, and various commercial contracts.
Although the tradition of champions visiting the White House has existed for a long time, this reception turned out to be one of the most discussed due to the political context. As of now, the club and Messi's representatives have not provided any additional comments regarding the situation with dissatisfied fans.
