Messi had an unexpected reaction upon hearing Ronaldo's name

Football superstar Lionel Messi experienced a quite interesting moment when US President Donald Trump suddenly brought up his longtime arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

The event took place on March 5th in Washington D.C., when Inter Miami was invited to the White House to celebrate their 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS Cup) championship. This historic title for the Florida-based club came just a few years after its founding and marked a significant turning point since Messi joined the club in 2023.

During the formal ceremony, President Trump offered much praise for Messi and the Inter Miami players. The US leader mentioned he only learned Messi was coming to the White House when his son Barron informed him. "My son said, 'Dad, do you know who's coming here today? Messi!' He is a huge soccer fan and truly admires him a lot,"Trump shared in front of the numerous guests.

Not stopping there, the US President also mentioned a familiar name to world football fans: Cristiano Ronaldo. He said his son not only admires Messi but is also very fond of "a gentleman named Ronaldo." This moment caused Messi to smile in the background. The Argentine superstar rarely comments on the rivalry spanning over two decades between him and Ronaldo. However, the fact that the two football legends continue to be mentioned together in every conversation demonstrates their enormous influence on the beautiful game.

During the event, President Trump also praised Messi's impact on American soccer. He emphasized that a player who has won the World Cup and is considered one of the greatest in history choosing to play in MLS has helped elevate the league and attract global attention.

Messi did not speak much at the event, but he presented the US President with an Inter Miami jersey and a special ball bearing his signature. The ceremony took place in a cordial atmosphere with the attendance of many Inter Miami players and US soccer officials.

Inter Miami's success last season is seen as a major milestone in the club's history. Just eight years after its founding with backing from figures like David Beckham, the team won its first MLS Cup title. Messi played a central role in that achievement, scoring 29 goals in 28 matches, becoming an inspiration for the entire squad.

The moment Messi smiled upon hearing Ronaldo's name quickly spread across social media. This once again shows that even as both have entered the final stages of their careers, the rivalry between Messi and Ronaldo remains a topic of particular interest to football fans worldwide.