Inter Miami gifts Trump ‘47’ jersey, watch and signed soccer ball during White House visit
🚨 WOW! President Trump has been GIFTED a watch with his name etched on the back, a soccer ball with his signature and American flag, and a "TRUMP 47" jersey from Inter Miami CF
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 5, 2026
"It's etched on the back with YOUR NAME and a tribute to you. It's special because time is a precious… pic.twitter.com/0TxuktupyS
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump welcomed Major League Soccer champions Inter Miami CF to the White House on March 5, honoring the club’s 2025 MLS Cup victory and hosting Argentine soccer legend Lionel Messi during a ceremony in the East Room.
During the event, Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas presented Trump with several gifts, including a pink team jersey, a signed soccer ball featuring the American flag and a limited-edition watch engraved with the president’s name.
The ceremony marked a rare moment in which a sitting US president formally welcomed Messi to the White House following the club’s historic season.
Gifts presented to Donald Trump
Mas presented Trump with a pink Inter Miami jersey bearing the number “47,” along with a pink soccer ball signed by the president and decorated with the American flag. The club also gifted Trump a limited-edition Inter Miami watch with his name engraved on the back.
"It's etched on the back with YOUR NAME and a tribute to you. It's special because time is a precious element. We wanted to gift you that."
The presentation took place as part of the White House ceremony recognizing Inter Miami’s championship season. Photographs from the event showed Trump posing alongside Messi and Mas while holding the jersey and signed ball in the East Room.
Mas also reflected on Inter Miami’s rapid rise in global soccer since its launch as a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in 2019.
“It’s our aspiration to continue breaking barriers and putting no limits, to making sure Major League Soccer and Inter Miami are considered among the elite in global football,” Mas said.
Trump welcomes Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi walked into the East Room alongside Trump and Mas after Inter Miami’s players and coaches gathered to mark their 2025 MLS Cup triumph.
Trump began the ceremony with extended remarks on international issues, including Iran and Cuba, before turning his attention to the visiting soccer club.
“It’s my distinct privilege to say what no American president has ever had the chance to say before: Welcome to the White House, Lionel Messi,” Trump said. The president later praised Messi’s influence on the club since joining Inter Miami in July 2023, noting the pressure that surrounded the Argentine forward’s arrival in Major League Soccer.
“This guy won. There was tremendous fanfare, and he won,” Trump said of Messi. “Leo, you came in and won. It’s hard to do. … You came in and won with all that pressure.”
Inter Miami’s historic season
Trump also highlighted Inter Miami’s accomplishments during the 2025 season while reading from prepared remarks during the ceremony. The club secured the MLS Cup title following a strong playoff run and also recorded a historic victory over a European club during the FIFA Club World Cup, marking the first time a North American team had defeated European opposition in the tournament.
Inter Miami’s success helped elevate the club’s international profile following Messi’s arrival, with the Argentine star drawing global attention to Major League Soccer.
After the formal remarks concluded, Trump escorted Messi and Mas toward the Oval Office while the team remained in the East Room for photographs and celebrations marking their championship victory. The event served as a ceremonial recognition of the club’s achievements and its growing influence in global soccer.
