A Chinese podcast · Same story, 4 levels
10:50
梅西与迈阿密国际队访问白宫
Messi and Inter Miami Visit the White House — Trump Honors the MLS Champions
HSK 3 Chinese listening practice. Messi and Inter Miami visit the White House — Trump honors the MLS champions in a long-standing American tradition.
This is an HSK 3-4 Chinese listening episode that runs about 11 minutes. The full Mandarin script is shown with tap-for-pinyin and a line-by-line English translation, so you can listen and read at once — comprehensible input in the sense of Stephen Krashen's i+1 theory. It teaches 12 key vocabulary words such as 精彩、无论、坚持 and walks through 5 grammar patterns, each explained in English with examples. The same news story is retold at 4 difficulty levels — use the level selector above to find the version that is challenging but still understandable for you.
Read the complete story in Chinese. Reveal pinyin and English only when you need them.
Speaking of the liveliest event in American sports recently, it's soccer superstar Messi going to the White House.
This event happened last Thursday afternoon.
Messi and his team, which is Inter Miami, went to Washington together.
They went there to meet US President Trump.
Why meet the president?
This is because they won the championship in the 2025 competition.
This is a very important honor.
In the US, championship-winning teams going to the White House to meet the president is a long tradition.
Around 4:30 that afternoon, the team members all arrived.
Every one of them was dressed very formally.
Everyone was wearing dark suits and looked very spirited.
Messi was, of course, among them.
He walked into the room together with the team owner, Jorge Mas.
President Trump was already there waiting for them.
This room is called the "East Room," and it is a very large room inside the White House.
President Trump looked very happy.
He expressed his welcome to everyone right at the start.
He said he was very glad to host the 2025 championship team today.
He also said something very interesting.
He said: "I am the first president in American history to have the opportunity to welcome Messi at the White House."
This sentence made everyone laugh, and the atmosphere became very relaxed.
President Trump also mentioned his son, Barron.
Everyone knows that Barron is Trump's youngest son.
Trump told everyone that Barron likes soccer very much.
Moreover, Barron is a loyal fan of Messi.
Trump said that morning his son asked him: "Dad, do you know who is coming today?"
Trump said at the time: "I don't know, I have a lot of things to be busy with."
Then his son told him: "It's Messi who is coming!"
It seems that even the president's son felt very excited about Messi's arrival.
Trump also said his son thinks Messi is a great person.
In his speech, Trump also compared Messi with other great players.
He said Messi reminded him of Pelé.
Pelé is a Brazilian soccer legend.
Trump recalled that he had watched Pelé play in the seventies.
He also mentioned another famous star, Cristiano Ronaldo.
He said these players are all great, but Messi is also the best.
Besides talking about Messi, Trump also praised the other players.
For example, Suárez, whose performance in the matches was also very good.
Trump also jokingly asked everyone: "Do you have any bad-looking players on your team?"
Then he smiled and said: "I prefer those players who aren't good-looking."
This was of course a joke, and everyone laughed very happily.
During this meeting, Trump also specifically mentioned the city of Miami.
He said to Messi: "You could choose to go play soccer anywhere in the world."
"You could choose any team."
"But in the end, you chose Miami."
Trump said he doesn't blame Messi for making this choice because Miami's weather is indeed very good.
This is indeed the truth; Miami's weather is very warm and very suitable for living and playing soccer.
Let's review the achievements of this team again.
Inter Miami won the championship on December 6, 2025.
That match was very exciting.
Their opponent was the Vancouver Whitecaps.
The final result was three to one; Inter Miami won.
That was the first time they won this trophy.
For the team, this was a historic moment.
Since Messi joined this team in 2023, the team's changes have been huge.
Before, their results might have just been ordinary.
But after Messi came, they won several championships.
For example, the 2023 Leagues Cup champion.
And the 2024 Supporters' Shield champion.
It can be said that Messi's arrival completely changed this team.
During the White House event, the team also prepared a gift for Trump.
This was a very special jersey.
The color of the jersey was pink, which is Inter Miami's signature color.
The number on the back of the jersey was number 47.
Why give number 47?
Because Trump is the 47th president of the United States.
This gift was very meaningful.
Besides the jersey, Messi also gave the president a signed soccer ball.
The team's coach also gave a watch to the president.
This watch had words engraved on it and was very exquisite.
The team owner, Jorge Mas, also gave a speech.
His speech was very moving.
He talked about his own family and background.
His parents came to the United States from Cuba.
He said his parents came here to pursue freedom.
In this country, as long as you work hard and have a dream, everything is possible.
Mas said that bringing the world's best player to Miami was his dream.
He had this idea back in 2019.
Now, this dream has finally been realized.
Messi was standing right beside him, and they had also won the championship.
Mas said this proves that hard work and persistence are rewarded.
He also specifically mentioned his father and mother.
His mother was also on the scene that day.
He said it was his parents who taught him to work hard and to dare to dream.
These words moved many people present.
This is not just a story about soccer, but also about family and struggle.
There were also many important people who went to the White House that day.
For example, the head of Major League Soccer.
And former baseball star Alex Rodriguez.
He also lives in Florida, so he also came to attend this event.
Additionally, there were some government officials present.
The atmosphere of the whole event was very enthusiastic.
Although at the beginning of the event, Trump first talked about some things regarding the international situation.
For example, regarding the war situation in Iran.
He introduced some news regarding military aspects.
This made everyone feel that although this is a celebration, the president's work is still very serious.
However, when the topic turned to soccer, everyone relaxed.
After the event ended, Trump also invited the players to the Oval Office.
That is the place where the president usually works.
Trump said that place is the "center of the world."
For the players, this was definitely a very unforgettable experience.
Being able to enter the president's office for a tour is not an opportunity everyone has.
This visit to the White House marks a peak for Inter Miami.
Not only did they win the match on the field, but they also received the highest honor off the field.
For Messi, this is also another special moment in his career.
He has been to many places in the world and won countless trophies.
But going to the White House as a champion of the American professional league, this is the first time.
This also illustrates that soccer's influence in the US is becoming greater and greater.
Previously in the US, soccer might not have been as popular as basketball or baseball.
But because of Messi, more and more people have started to pay attention to soccer.
Even the president's son is a soccer fan; this really explains the point.
Inter Miami's next task is also very heavy.
They are going to Baltimore for a match very soon.
Their opponent is D.C. United.
The location of the match is in a very large stadium.
That place is usually where American football is played.
But because Messi is coming, there will definitely be many spectators going to watch the match.
This is the power of a star.
No matter where Messi goes, he will attract countless gazes.
This trip to the White House will also let more people know about Inter Miami.
For the future development of the team, this is definitely a good thing.
We can also see that sports indeed have this kind of special power.
It can connect different people together.
Whether it's the president or an ordinary fan, everyone feels happy because of soccer.
This is the reason why we all like sports.
Although the match has already passed by a few months, the celebration made everyone recall that exciting moment again.
For Inter Miami fans, this day was definitely as happy as a holiday.
Watching the team and stars they support standing in the White House, that sense of pride is indescribable.
This sense of honor will encourage the team to continue working hard.
They definitely hope to have the opportunity to go to the White House again next year.
Of course, this requires them to continue winning in the new season.
The competition will definitely be very intense because other teams also want to win the championship.
But as long as Messi is there, and as long as everyone unites and cooperates, there is always a chance.
We will also continue to pay attention to Inter Miami's performance.
To see if they can bring us more surprises in the upcoming matches.
Especially Messi, although he is no longer young, his skills are still number one in the world.
Every movement of his on the pitch is like performing art.
This is also why so many people are willing to spend money buying tickets to watch him play.
This event at the White House has also written a new page in American soccer history.
Later, when we look back on this history, we will definitely remember this day.
Remember the way Messi looked wearing a suit, smiling and standing beside the president.
This is not only sports news but also a part of cultural exchange.
It demonstrates that the United States is an inclusive country that welcomes excellent talent from all over the world.
No matter where you come from, as long as you have talent and are willing to work hard, you can achieve success and respect here.
This is the most important message this event transmits to us.
Alright, regarding this trip to the White House, we will chat up to here.
Next, let's take a look at other sports news.
Try it without the transcript and notice what sounds clearer.
Used to describe performances, games, or speeches that are exciting and excellent.
Often used with '都' or '也' to indicate a result remains the same despite conditions.
To continue doing something despite difficulties.
Customs or beliefs passed down from generation to generation.
The winner of a competition or contest.
HSK 1-3. audience.
A sense of pride or a prestigious award/status.
The feeling or mood in a particular place or situation.
To work very hard towards a goal, often implying overcoming difficulty.
Used here as 'marks a peak' (标志着); can also be a noun meaning a logo or sign.
To accept different people or opinions; forgiving.
Used to describe competition, arguments, or pain.
* beyond level超纲词
连……都……
An emphatic structure meaning 'even...'. It emphasizes an extreme case to make a point.
连总统的儿子都是足球迷，这就很说明问题了。
连总统的儿子都对梅西的到来感到非常兴奋。
只要……，(就)……
A conditional pattern meaning 'as long as..., then...'. It introduces a sufficient condition.
在这个国家，只要你努力工作，只要你有梦想，一切都是可能的。
只要有梅西在，只要大家团结合作，机会总是有的。
不仅……，还/也……
Meaning 'not only..., but also...'. Used to add information or qualities.
他们不仅在球场上赢了比赛，还在场外获得了最高的荣誉。
这不仅是体育的新闻，也是文化交流的一部分。
把 + Object + Verb
The 'Ba' construction, used to emphasize the manipulation or handling of an object.
特朗普还把梅西和其他伟大的球员做了比较。
它可以把不同的人联系在一起。
是……的
Used to emphasize a specific detail (time, place, manner, or agent) of an action that has already happened.
这件事情发生在上个星期四的下午。(Implied structure)
迈阿密国际队是在二零二五年十二月六日拿到冠军的。
他的父母是从古巴来到美国的。
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