US President Donald Trump has officially weighed in on football’s greatest debate, declaring Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi the winner over Brazilian legend Pelé during a White House ceremony Thursday.
The moment unfolded as Inter Miami visited the White House to celebrate their successful MLS season, with club owner Jorge Mas and captain Lionel Messi present for the occasion.
President Trump, addressing the crowd on March 5, 2026, reflected on watching Pelé play during the Brazilian’s stint with the New York Cosmos in the 1970s.
“You will say I am old when I say this, but I watched Pelé’s game at the time he was playing for Cosmos,” Trump told the audience.
He recalled that Steve Ross, the late founder of the Cosmos, “was looking for good players, so he started with Pelé.”
Turning to the current generation of football, the President directly engaged the crowd on the long-standing debate.
“I don’t know—you may be better than Pelé,” Trump said, gesturing toward Messi. “He was pretty good. Who is better?”
After allowing the crowd’s reactions to fill the room, Trump delivered his verdict: “Is it Messi or Pelé? I think it’s him. But Pelé was pretty good.”
The lighthearted moment came during an otherwise formal ceremony honoring Inter Miami’s recent achievements. Team owner Jorge Mas and Messi presented the President with an Inter Miami jersey bearing his name.
The comparison between the Argentine World Cup champion and the three-time Brazilian World Cup winner has divided football fans for decades, with Thursday marking one of the highest-profile endorsements Messi has received in the ongoing debate.
