Javier Mascherano has defended Inter Miami's visit to the White House to meet President Donald Trump, which coincided with ongoing US-led attacks on Iran. The former Liverpool and Barcelona midfielder explained that the trip was a long-planned tradition for MLS Cup winners.
Mascherano told the Miami Herald: "I thought we were going to talk football. We complied with a protocol that is a tradition to come to the White House for being the championship team. It was planned a long time ago for the week we would play here in Washington."
The squad, including Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul, attended the ceremony where Trump discussed the Middle East conflict and the Dow Jones stock market, placing the footballers in an awkward position. Messi was presented with a signed pink football.
Mascherano added: "We were there a few hours, got to see a little bit of the White House, not much, what we could. The contact with President Trump was what was seen on TV, not much more than that."
Trump also mentioned his son Baron's admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo, saying: "He thinks you're just a great person. He's a tremendous fan of yours, as well as a gentleman named Ronaldo."
