Lionel Messi and Inter Miami appeared visibly puzzled after cameras captured their reaction to Donald Trump launching into an extended monologue about US military activity in Iran during a White House visit.
The team visited Washington on Thursday to mark the club’s 2025 Major League Soccer Cup victory. While the event was expected to centre on the triumph and the players, the President soon drifted away from football and into foreign policy.
The sudden change in subject matter seemed to leave Messi and several Inter Miami players looking uncertain as the remarks moved from celebrating sport to discussing military operations.
Trump began by acknowledging the squad standing behind him.
“We like champions. We like winners,”
Moments later, he shifted gears and introduced a new topic.
“And before we begin, I think I will say a few words about what’s going on with respect to our operation in the country of Iran.”
He went on to describe the situation in detail, referencing cooperation with Israel.
“The United States military, together with the wonderful Israeli partners, continues to totally demolish the enemy far ahead of schedule, and at levels that people have never seen before, actually.”
He then claimed progress against Iranian weapons systems.
“We’re destroying more of Iran’s missiles and drone capability every single hour, knocking them out like nobody thought was possible,” Trump said.
Trump also alleged rapid retaliatory strikes.
“As soon as they set off a missile, within four minutes, the launcher gets hit. They don’t know what’s happening. But we have the greatest military anywhere in the world.”
Continuing, he listed what he said had been eliminated during the campaign.
“Their navy is gone. Twenty-four ships in three days. That’s a lot of ships,” he said. “Their anti-aircraft weapons are gone, so they have no Air Force. They have no air defense. All of their airplanes are gone. Their communications are gone. Missiles are gone. Launches are gone.”
He then referenced figures about the damage he claimed had been inflicted, before ending with a remark about Iran’s resilience.
“60 percent and 64 percent, respectively”
“Other than that, they’re doing quite well,” Trump said. “I say, what’s left? But they’re tough.”
Donald Trump talking about a USA-Iran war with Messi in the background having absolutely no clue what’s going on 😭😭
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) March 5, 2026
Clips of the speech quickly circulated online, and many viewers pointed out how abrupt the transition felt, particularly with the players standing behind him during the remarks.
“Donald Trump talking about a USA-Iran war with Messi in the background having absolutely no clue what’s going on,” penned one user.
Another commenter criticised Messi’s presence at the event and argued it risked reflecting poorly on him.
“Messi was careful his whole career, working hard to avoid controversy. And now he offers Trump his image and his applause, clapping to war propaganda. This is a disgrace that will follow Messi for the rest of his life. As a fan, this was a very sad day for me”