Messi receives key to city; Trump talks World Cup ticket sales

MIAMI — Soccer star Lionel Messi discussed highlights of his legendary career, shared excitement for the upcoming World Cup and received the key to the city at the America Business Forum on Wednesday, Nov. 5.

Messi was interviewed by Miami major Francis Suarez, while Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas joined the stage to gift his captain with the local honor.

“This is a small token from this city whose hearts you have captured,” Mas told Messi.

“I feel very honored by this… This distinction for me is a great honor,” Messi said as he accepted the key.

Messi often tugged at his microphone, while wearing a charcoal gray suit during the interview at the Miami Heat’s Kaseya Center, where fans in the lower bowl chanted his name between responses.

Messi discussed several topics, including his journey from his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, to his soccer stops at Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami. He also discussed his failures with the Argentine national team before winning the World Cup in 2022.

“Well, it’s difficult to convey the feeling of that moment and find the words to describe what that title meant on a personal level, for my family, my teammates, and my country,” Messi said of Argentina’s third World Cup title won in Qatar. “For me, it was special.”

While Messi has yet to officially declare whether or not he will play in the 2026 World Cup, he has shared excitement about the possibility in previous interviews.

Messi said the 1994 World Cup was a turning point for the sport in the United States, and believes the next World Cup “will be something extraordinary.”

“I think it’s an important moment for soccer in the United States in general, which I hope will be taken advantage of to continue growing,” Messi said regarding next summer’s tournament co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Messi, who last month signed a three-year extension with Inter Miami through 2028, reiterated retirement is far from his mind when asked about his legacy.

“The truth is that it’s not something I’ve thought about or worried about when I retire,’ Messi said. ‘For now, I’m going to continue enjoying myself and continue playing.”

Messi was the final speaker on Day 1 of the conference, which also featured U.S. President Donald Trump as the headliner one year after his election for a second term.  

FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Formula One president/CEO Stefano Domenicali were also speakers with sports ties at the event on Wednesday.

Trump joked he campaigned for a second term so he could be in charge during World Cup 2026.

“I wanted to be president when they have the World Cup and look what happened, Gianni. I’m president and we have the World Cup,” Trump said directed toward Infantino.

Trump said tickets for the World Cup held from June 11-July 19, 2026 – “are selling at record numbers that they’ve never sold before. They’re doing record business.”

Trump reiterated the 250th anniversary of the United States on July 4, 2026 will feature a UFC fight at the White House, which he said is “going to be a tough ticket.”

Trump also mentioned the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, among his brief mention of sports during his speech.

Infantino walked onto the stage holding a World Cup ball, and played the hits he usually discusses in front of American audiences – explaining the difference between soccer and football to start.

Infantino also joked about his soccer career, with talent unlike Messi.

“I realized if I ever want to touch the World Cup, I had to become FIFA president,” Infantino said.

Infantino also acknowledged his budding relationship with Trump, saying he considers the president a “close friend.”

“He’s very helpful in everything that we do for the World Cup,” Infantino said of Trump. “He’s really engaged. He has such incredible energy. He does what he says, and says what he thinks. That’s why he’s so successful.”

Before receiving the key to the city, Messi was applauded after acknowledging he rarely participates in public speaking events.

“It was much more difficult for me to speak in public, to do this type of event. My thing was always playing, and that’s what I did,” Messi said. “The truth is that today, I felt very good. I had a good time, I enjoyed myself.”

Messi returns to action with Inter Miami in Game 3 of their first-round MLS playoff series against Nashville SC on Saturday, Nov. 8.