Messi’s Inter Miami visit to White House raises questions

March 6, 2026 Oliver Obel

The long-standing tradition of championship teams visiting the White House has become increasingly complicated for athletes in recent years, particularly during politically polarized periods in the United States.

Inter Miami’s expected visit to Washington this week is the latest example. According to reporting by The Guardian, President Donald Trump is scheduled to host the Major League Soccer club on Thursday after the team’s 2025 MLS Cup victory.

While such ceremonies were once treated as routine celebrations of sporting success, many teams now face questions about whether participation carries political symbolism.

A tradition under scrutiny

For decades, American championship teams have traveled to the White House to be recognized by the sitting president. The custom has generally been seen as a nonpartisan gesture celebrating athletic achievement.

In recent years, however, attendance has become more complicated. Athletes have increasingly weighed whether appearing alongside a president could be interpreted as an endorsement of a political administration.

Inter Miami’s visit comes during a particularly charged period in American politics. The Athletic reported that it remains unclear whether the club’s most recognizable player, Lionel Messi, will attend the ceremony.

Different responses across sports

Championship teams across several major leagues have handled invitations differently.

The Philadelphia Eagles visited the White House following their Super Bowl victory, though several prominent players chose not to participate. The NHL’s Florida Panthers attended ceremonies twice within the past year.

Other teams have declined invitations entirely. The Golden State Warriors skipped White House visits during Trump’s first presidency despite winning two NBA championships, though the team did attend celebrations under Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

Players facing personal decisions

For individual athletes, deciding whether to attend can place them in a difficult position.

Accepting the invitation may be interpreted by some observers as support for the administration hosting the event. Declining the invitation can also attract attention, sometimes placing athletes in the middle of political debates they may not wish to join.

The tension surrounding the tradition became particularly visible ahead of the 2019 Women’s World Cup. Former U.S. women’s national team star Megan Rapinoe told reporters at the time, “I’m not going to the fucking White House.” The eventual World Cup-winning team ultimately did not make a visit during Trump’s first term.

Spotlight on Inter Miami

Inter Miami’s planned appearance now places the MLS champions at the center of the same conversation.

Sports leagues and team executives have often avoided taking formal positions on the issue, leaving individual players to decide whether to attend ceremonies themselves.

As a result, what was once a straightforward celebration of a championship can now carry broader symbolism — and the images from those visits often follow athletes and teams long after the trophy has been lifted.

Sources: The Guardian, The Athletic