As Inter Miami’s players shuffled into place for a White House ceremony honoring December’s MLS Cup title, the scene initially felt familiar. It’s the type of routine victory‑tour stop countless championship teams have made. But that was where any sense of normalcy ended.

More than nine minutes into the visit, the words “Inter Miami” were finally uttered, though the event hardly returned to its intended focus. Inter Miami’s player, and arguably the biggest soccer star of his generation, faded into the background as Trump launched into a lengthy opening statement centered on Iran and the U.S.-Israel military operation. The players occasionally laughed and applauded with the audience as he said the U.S. was “totally demolish[ing]” Iran, then drifted into comments about Cuba and, eventually, Venezuela over the course of an eight‑minute address.

The moment was then punctuated by a surprise mention of retired baseball star Alex Rodriguez, before Jorge Mas seized the spotlight with a passionate speech. Afterward, Mas presented Trump with a bedazzled pink soccer ball, a limited‑edition Inter Miami–themed watch, and a No. 47 pink Inter Miami jersey – a final touch that capped a strange, at times incomprehensible blend of current events and sports for a team preparing to face D.C. United on Saturday at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium.

Messi’s entrance, Beckham’s no-show and an A-Rod cameo

One by one, in single file, Miami players and staff members entered the room: Luis Suarez, Rodrigo De Paul, Javier Mascherano, and co-owner Jorge Mas among them. Lionel Messi’s absence was noticeable at first, but in the end, perhaps to build a bit of drama, the World Cup winner made his way into the room alongside Trump, who immediately stepped into the podium to deliver military talking points before shifting his attention the team.

While Mas led a group of club representatives who were present and MLS commissioner Don Garber was in the room, one person was notably absent – fellow co-owner David Beckham, essentially the face of Inter Miami when Messi is not occupying the role. Beckham posted on his Instagram stories that he was in Paris on Thursday, after recently attending a show of his son Cruz, an aspiring singer. His wife, Victoria Beckham, is set to showcase her clothing line at Paris Fashion Week.

One surprise guest in attendance was A-Rod, who Trump inexplicably name-dropped during his opening remarks while he discussed Cuba.

“A-Rod came in before,” Trump said. “I said, ‘Do you want to come to a little awards show?’ He’s been to plenty of awards ceremonies. Thank you, A-Rod.”

Mas: ‘Our league can be one of the top leagues’

There was some official business during an event that inexplicably covered a variety of topics, chiefly when Mas stood at the podium to celebrate Miami’s success. For Mas, the moment was a culmination of a years-long effort to land Messi’s signature, transforming the club’s visibility and ushered in a run of trophies.

“Today, standing before you, you have the world’s greatest player here to my right,” Mas said in reference to Messi. “Over the course of the last two and a half years that he has been here, we’ve been on an epic run of records, of trophies, of winning because what I’ve wanted to establish with Inter Miami is a winning culture that would be a reflection of our community, of South Florida, Miami, made up winners, of hard-working men and women. And I want our team to be an embodiment of our fanbase and everyone who aspires to a better future and a better life.”

The highlights Mas mentioned included December’s MLS Cup and a trip to the Club World Cup knockouts last year, eventually losing to finalists Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16. He also, though, positioned Miami as a game-changing force in American soccer – and one that hopefully signals the growth potential for MLS clubs as a whole.

“And today, standing before you, Inter Miami is one of the world’s biggest clubs. Most are based on history, but our history has been short, but having a winning culture, having the best-selling jersey on the face of the Earth, making a global difference and not only because of Lionel Messi. These men standing behind you have changed the culture of football in the United States of America forever,” he said “We can play with the big boys. We can beat heavyweights. Our league can be one of the top leagues in the world and it is this ability to dream, to persevere, to have no obstacles ahead of us, that we will continue to be successful.”

Mas shares his American ‘Dream’

Mas, the son of Cuban immigrants, used his time at the podium to paint a familiar portrait of the American dream, one that he connected back to Inter Miami.

“On the back of our jersey, Mr. President, it says ‘Freedom to Dream’ because that’s our family moniker and what embodies our team and our aspirations but that all began many, many years before at the dinner table of our family, with my late father Jorge Mas Canos and my mother Irma, who is here today,” Mas said. “I speak now in tribute to our parents’ generation and I share that with Secretary Marco Rubio, of men and women who fled communism, who fled tyranny, who wanted a better life for their boys and their daughters and their sons in the future and at that table, it was instilled in us that if you work hard and if you sacrifice and you dream, it can be possible.”

It was in stark contrast to Trump’s reference to Cuba earlier in the afternoon, name-dropping the Caribbean nation while discussing how military operations in Iran and Venezuela were faring. He said, “We want to finish this one first,” seemingly referencing current events in Iran before pivoting to Cuba in an incoherent tangent that preceded his remarks on Inter Miami.

“What’s happening with Cuba is amazing,” Trump said, right after he thanked Rodriguez for his attendance. “We want to finish this one first, but that will be just a question of time before you and unbelievable people are going to be going back. Hopefully not to stay. We want you back. We don’t want to lose you. We don’t want to make it so nice that they want to stay, but some people probably do want to stay.”

According to recent reports, the Minnesota Vikings are exploring the possibility of trading standout edge rusher Jonathan Greenard. While it would hurt to see a good player leave the organization, perhaps the incoming trade compensation could ease that pain.

Greenard is a productive player in his prime on a relatively cheap contract, given the market rate for edge rushers. So what’s his trade price?

Seahawks reporter Corbin K. Smith revealed on social media, “Re: Vikings pass rusher Jonathan Greenard… I’m told by a reporter with inside knowledge of the team that Minnesota has received inquiries from ‘half the league,’ including #Seahawks. He’s going to be in demand, but sounds like a second-rounder and Day 3 pick is the sweet spot.”

The Super Bowl champs have inquired. A reunion with 2024 free agency classmate Sam Darnold could be on the table. Either way, Greenard would bring the Vikings a 2nd-rounder and another pick on Day 3 if Smith’s report is accurate.

It’s traditionally hard to get a hold of a 1st-round Draft pick, especially for a player that’s not quite considered elite. Furthermore, Greenard is reportedly asking for a raise, which lowers his market value.

Albert Breer of SI commented about the situation: “The Vikings’ situation with OLB Jonathan Greenard is a bit complex—Greenard is seeking a market correction to his contract, per sources. He’s due $19 million and would like a raise. Minnesota is comfortable with him at his current number. The team views him as one of their best players, and won’t just let him go. But if someone comes with a big offer, a deal could be had.”

Indeed, Greenard is underpaid in the NFL landscape, ranking 17th among edge rushers at $19 million a year. Nowadays, the top rushers get north of $40 million.

That rapidly rising market is one reason situations like Greenard’s can become complicated. Players who outperform their contracts often seek adjustments, while teams must decide whether to reward that performance or maintain financial discipline. Those competing priorities sometimes lead to trade discussions, even involving highly productive players.

Our own Dustin Baker noted, “Greenard earns the aforementioned $19 million per season. When joining the Vikings two years ago, that number was fair and aligned with market value. Now, the veteran EDGE probably deserves a bump near $27 million, give or take. For context, Micah Parsons in Green Bay earns $46.5 million annually. Parsons is certainly a better defender than Greenard, but he’s probably not $27.5 million per season better.”

He has undoubtedly been productive, though his sack numbers in 2025 didn’t match that, as QBs annoyingly wiggled out of his grasp several times.

In his first season in purple, Greenard sacked opposing passers 12 times, and he added 59 tackles (18 tackles for loss) and 22 QB hits. In the regular season, Greenard ranked third among edge defenders in QB pressures with 80 and first in QB hurries with 59.

His second season wasn’t as dominant, but still solid when healthy. His shoulder injury cost him five games, and he wasn’t at his best in some others, but he played through the issue until the club was eliminated. Greenard recorded 3 sacks, 47 pressures, and 36 hurries. His pass-rush win-percentage was comparable to his previous season.

The Vikings must weigh the potential salary-cap relief and additional draft capital against the loss of one of their top defenders and locker-room leaders. If he’s out, Brian Flores would — barring a massive acquisition — turn to 2024 1st-rounder Dallas Turner, who played quite well in his sophomore season, especially when Greenard was sidelined.

Ultimately, the decision may come down to how aggressively the Vikings want to reshape their roster this offseason. Moving Greenard would be a bold step, but it could signal that the front office is willing to make difficult decisions in order to gain financial flexibility and future assets.

Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.

Janik Eckardt is a German sports nerd, who likes numbers and stats. He chose the Vikings to be his … More about Janik Eckardt

Morocco parted company with coach Walid Regragui on Thursday, three months before the World Cup, with the country’s football federation naming Mohamed Ouahbi as his replacement.

Regragui leaves despite having led the Atlas Lions to the World Cup semi-finals in 2022 and to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations at the beginning of this year.

“I leave my post with loyalty, gratitude, and the certainty that I have served my country,” he declared during a ceremony broadcast live on television, confirming weeks of persistent rumours that he was on his way out.

Read moreMexico will make ‘a strong show of security’ ahead of World Cup, expert says

Ouahbi, 49, is promoted to the role having overseen Morocco’s triumph at the Under-20 World Cup in October, with the federation describing the move as “a strategic transition” in the run-up to the World Cup in North America in June and July.

“It’s a desire not to waste time and to take a different direction,” a source close to the Moroccan Federation told AFP.

“By appointing Mohamed Ouahbi and welcoming top-tier reinforcements, we are raising our standards and our demands,” the source said.

Morocco will be in Group C at the World Cup along with five-time winners Brazil, Scotland and Haiti.

They begin their campaign against Brazil at the MetLife Stadium just outside New York City on June 13 and will be hoping to make a big impression at the tournament before co-hosting the 2030 edition with Spain and Portugal.

“Our ambition is to consolidate our place among the best nations in a sustainable way and to perform well from this summer, as well as in 2030,” the leader of the Moroccan federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, said recently.

Read moreFIFA’s ex-chief Sepp Blatter joins calls to boycott World Cup over Trump policies

Regragui was hailed in 2022 after Morocco became the first African nation in World Cup history to reach the semi-finals, beating Spain and Portugal along the way.

However, Regragui likely paid the ultimate price for the manner in which Morocco lost the recent AFCON final to Senegal.

His team were beaten 1-0 after extra-time at the end of a match marred by the Senegal team’s decision to walk off the pitch in protest at the award of a controversial late penalty to the hosts.

The penalty award with the game goalless sparked trouble in the crowd involving Senegal fans, 18 of whom were jailed following the disruption.

Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz eventually took the penalty after a long delay but his kick was saved and Senegal went on to win the game.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

South African flyweight MMA star ‘White Lion’ Willie van Rooyen says his next fight in ONE Championship will look completely different to his promotional debut.

Van Rooyen suffered a heartbreaking setback against Avazbek Kholmirzaev last November at ONE Fight Night 37 on Prime Video, losing via first-round submission to the Uzbekistani sensation.

Now that van Rooyen is ready to make his way back to the ONE Championship ring, the 23-year-old A-Team Stars representative wants to make a statement.

In a recent interview with ONE Championship, van Rooyen talked about getting his first-fight jitters out of the way and vows not to fold under the bright lights in his sophomore outing.

‘White Lion’ said:

“Now that I fought my first fight, I know what it feels like. I know what skill level the fighters are on. It motivated me and helped me work even harder.”

Van Rooyen also reiterated his desire to win the world title in ONE Championship, and he’s ready to put on a show:

“I want to become the ONE Flyweight MMA World Champion, so I’m really excited to show you guys what [I have in store] for this fight.”

Willie van Rooyen takes on Jeremy Miado in a flyweight MMA duel at ONE Fight Night 41 on Prime Video

South African fighter ‘White Lion’ Willie van Rooyen is ready to throw down with Filipino firecracker ‘The Jaguar’ Jeremy Miado in a three-round flyweight MMA showdown.

Both men are coming off defeats to Avazbek Kholmirzaev, and want to prove that they deserve another crack at the Uzbekistani.

The two lock horns at ONE Fight Night 41 on Prime Video, which broadcasts live in U.S. primetime on Friday, March 13, from the legendary Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action live and absolutely free with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.

Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding Willie van Rooyen’s next fight.