Leo Messi and Rodrigo De Paul trump DC United in the capital

The Argentine legend netted again before a record-breaking crowd of 72,026 as Inter Miami continue dominant start to the 2026 season

The convergence of global celebrity and American political tradition defined an extraordinary week for Inter Miami, culminating in a 1-2 triumph over DC United on Saturday.

Playing in front of a sold-out audience at M&T Bank Stadium, Leo Messi captivated the crowd by netting the 899th goal of his professional career.

The match served as a competitive encore to a high-profile visit to the White House on Thursday, where the club was honoured for their 2025 MLS Cup championship.

During that ceremony, the squad gifted president Donald Trump with a signature pink “No. 47” jersey, symbolising his role as the 47th president.

The event balanced celebratory sportsmanship with global affairs, as the President addressed the media regarding ongoing military strikes in Iran before turning his attention to the reigning champions.

During his speech, the US President shared a lighthearted moment involving his son’s excitement for the visit.

“My son [Barron] said, ‘Dad, do you know who’s going to be there today?’ I said, ‘no, I’ve got a lot of things going on’. He said, ‘Messi!’ He’s a big fan of yours. He thinks you’re a great person and I think you got to meet a little while ago,” Trump said.

🗣️Donald Trump: “Leo picked the pocket of a Whitecaps defender and sent a pass to the great Rodrigo De Paul. Where the hell is Rodrigo? Do you have any bad-looking players on this team?” 😄 pic.twitter.com/FjNhfcFPYK

— Inter Miami News Hub (@Intermiamicfhub) March 5, 2026

Messi and De Paul net one each in Inter Miami’s road success

The match against DC United was unlocked by the tenacity of Rodrigo De Paul, who opened the scoring in the 17th minute.

De Paul, often characterised by his physical style and protective presence on the pitch, found himself at the centre of a humorous exchange during the earlier White House visit.

“Where is Rodrigo De Paul? Wow, you guys even have players who look mean?!” Trump noted.

The lead was doubled shortly thereafter when Messi showcased the timing that has defined his three seasons in MLS.

Slipping past a static DC United backline, Messi latched onto a well-timed through ball from Mateo Silvetti and flicked the ball past goalkeeper Sean Johnson to secure his fourth goal of the young 2026 campaign.

The victory moves Inter Miami to a 2-1-0 record as they prepare for a congested schedule that includes games in the Concacaf Champions Cup.

For the 38-year-old Messi, the focus now shifts to Wednesday’s trip to Nashville, where he will have the opportunity to become only the second men’s player in history, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, to reach the 900-goal mark.