Lionel Messi Criticised After Meeting Donald Trump, Here’s Why
Lionel Messi, the Argentine football star, has drawn criticism on social media after attending a White House ceremony honouring him and Inter Miami and applauding President Donald Trump as he spoke about Iran and broader geopolitics. Messi joined Inter Miami at the ceremony in Washington, DC, where Trump praised him and the club. The event opened with comments on military action in Iran, before moving on to discuss Venezuela and potential announcements about Cuba and tariffs.
Trump boasted that the United States, alongside its Israeli partner, was continuing to strike Iran, with casualties cited. He claimed the attacks had been executed with unprecedented speed and effectiveness, while Messi and others present applauded.
Messi, who joined Inter Miami in mid-2023 to widespread acclaim, did not speak during the event. The ceremony underscored the Iran conflict, and Trump’s remarks about military action prompted backlash from fans and commentators who accused Messi of engaging in politics by applauding the president.
Palestinian-American writer Ali Abunimah tweeted: “Selfish people who are empty” in response to the moment. He added: “Lionel Messi applauds when President Trump spoke about plans to defeat Iran. Fans of Messi?” Spanish journalist Leyla Hamed described the action as “strange” amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, noting that hundreds of children had recently died in Iran.
An American football fan account on YouTube, Tactical Manager, reacted to Messi and Miami’s White House appearance; former Barcelona teammate Luis Sue1rez was also present. Some fans and fan groups voiced their discontent.
Messi presented a signed Inter Miami ball to Trump. The president appeared to use the ceremony to blend athletic prestige with military power, pausing to Qd Argentina captain Rodrigo De Paul and joking: “Is there anyone who looks bad?”
Trump then turned back to sport, noting: “You can go anywhere in the world. You can choose any team in the world, and you chose Miami.” He joked about the weather and asked if Messi would visit Doral for golf, referencing his own course.
Messi—an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and World Cup champion with Argentina in 2022—was expected to return to Argentina this summer for the tournament hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Nevertheless, the global football stage has been soiled by recent events, including conflicts in the Middle East and unrest in Mexico following the death of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera. After opening the ceremony with remarks about the Iran conflict, Trump did not mention the World Cup.