Lionel Messi is facing backlash on social media after applauding during Donald Trump’s speech at a White House event where the US president spoke about the ongoing Iran-Israel war. Messi was attending an event held for Inter Miami CF.
Lionel Messi has come under heavy criticism on social media after attending a White House event with Inter Miami CF and applauding a speech by Donald Trump that included remarks about the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.
Messi and the Inter Miami squad were invited to the White House to be honoured for winning the Major League Soccer (MLS) title in December. The Argentine star also won the league’s MVP award for the second consecutive season.
During the ceremony in Washington, DC,
Trump welcomed Messi and praised his achievements in football. The US president then spoke about the ongoing Iran-Israel war, in which the United States is also involved.
Trump claimed that the United States and its allies were successfully carrying out military operations in the region, destroying Iran’s capabilities to fight back. He even said that the United States wants to fight now more than Iran does.
“The United States military, together with our wonderful Israeli partners, continues to totally demolish the enemy – far ahead of schedule and at levels that people have never seen before. We are destroying more of Iran’s missiles and drone capability every single hour, knocking them out like nobody thought was possible. 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,” Trump said.
Their navy is gone – 24 ships in three days. That’s a lot of ships. Their anti-aircraft weapons are gone, so they have no air force and no air defense. All of their airplanes are gone. Their communications are gone. Missiles are gone, launchers are gone – about 60% and 64% respectively. Other than that, they’re doing quite well. I said, ‘What’s left?’ But they’re tough and they want to fight. They’re calling and saying, ‘How do we make a deal?’ I said, ‘You’re being a little bit late.’ And we want to fight now more than they do,” Trump added.
“For 47 years we have lived through horror with this group. When you see somebody walking down the street without their legs or without their arms, whose face is so badly affected and hurt, a lot of it came from Soleimani and Iran. Other presidents lived with it, but I didn’t live with it. Our people are doing a great job. Once again, we have the greatest military anyone has seen. Thank you,” Trump concluded.
Messi faces backlash
As he concluded his remarks saying that the United States military is the greatest ever the world has seen, applause broke out in the room, with Messi and several Inter Miami players also clapping. The moment quickly went viral online and triggered strong reactions from many users.
Several critics accused Messi of normalising atrocity and supporting the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. A number of football fans also reacted strongly to the viral videos, with many expressing disappointment in Messi.
Donald Trump casually announces more illegal bombing of Iran in front of the entire Inter Miami squad.
Hundreds of children have been killed in Iran in the last few days.
Lionel Messi and his teammates respond with applause. Bizarre. pic.twitter.com/rT0E2tlm9L
— Leyla Hamed (@leylahamed) March 5, 2026
Trump just announced more bombing of Iran in front of the entire Inter Miami squad.
Lionel Messi and his teammates responded with applause.
US investigators believe American forces likely killed scores of children at a girls’ school on February 28.
Cluster munitions rained over… pic.twitter.com/L8eAbVamGT— Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) March 6, 2026
Let me describe the atmosphere in the White House…
Trump is explaining how he attacked Iran.
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez are applauding. pic.twitter.com/VG9C4YYdSX
— Losrafascartel (@Losrafascartel1) March 5, 2026
🚨 MESSI APLAUDE A TRUMP LUEGO DE QUE EL PRESIDENTE ANUNCIE LOS ATAQUES A IRÁN. pic.twitter.com/VtOBxw8v2W
— El Trumpista (@ElTrumpista) March 5, 2026
However, it is important to note that Messi is not well-versed in English. He has himself said that one of the biggest regrets of his life is not learning the language while growing up. So, some fans also argued that he didn’t understand what Trump said and just followed the cue of the room.
Messi was at the White House for the Inter Miami event and likely did not know that Trump would also brief the media about the war during the ceremony.
End of Article
