Messi and Inter Miami were wallpaper for Trump’s whims in their White House visit

In this news article, the author discusses the visit of the 2025 MLS Cup champions, Inter Miami, to the White House, where they were welcomed by US President Donald Trump. The article highlights how Trump used the event as a platform to discuss his own political and cultural agendas, rather than focusing on the achievements of the team. The article states that it took Trump 9 minutes and 43 seconds to acknowledge the reason for the visit, which was to celebrate Inter Miami's MLS Cup victory. Instead, Trump provided updates on his administration's conflict with Iran, alluded to a potential conflict with Cuba, and praised the US economy. Meanwhile, the players, including Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez, stood behind the dais, gazing blankly at the president. The author criticizes Trump's behavior, noting that he made the sports figures the "wallpaper" for his own political and cultural aims, rather than honoring their accomplishments. The article suggests that the traditional visit for champions of US pro sports leagues was overshadowed by Trump's personal agenda.