Lionel Messi reshaped MLS. The 2026 World Cup across North America will cement soccer as permanent in American sports culture.

With such milestones inevitably come comparisons to Lionel Messi, the player who defined a generation at Barcelona. The question naturally arises: when did Messi score his first hat-trick, and how old was he?

However, Lionel Messi and the 2025 MLS champions are scheduled to meet Trump at the White House, according to a report from Adam Crafton and Paul Tenorio of The Athletic: “Inter Miami will visit the White House on Thursday, March 5 to mark the team’s MLS Cup win, according to a White House official.

MLS champion Inter Miami will visit President Donald Trump and the White House to celebrate its 2025 championship before an upcoming match against D.C. United, a club source confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team hadn't yet announced the plans.

The Barcelona teenager had a landmark performance in the victory against Villarreal.

Lionel Messi’s debut in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup will come in the matchup between Inter Miami and Nashville SC. Since his arrival at Inter Miami in 2023, Lionel Messi has led the team to success in two of the major tournaments they compete in: the Leagues Cup and Major League Soccer.

From Lionel Messi to Naomi Osaka, elite athlete investors are turning championships into equity and redefining wealth beyond contracts.