Soccer legend Lionel Messi was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Saturday, but he did not show up to the White House to receive the medal from President Biden. According to his management team and Inter Miami, Messi was unable to attend the ceremony due to scheduling conflicts.
Messi, who joined Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami in 2023, is considered one of the most decorated players in the history of professional soccer. He supports health and education programs for children worldwide through his Messi Foundation and serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor, awarded to individuals who have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values or security of the United States, world peace or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.”
In addition to Messi, 18 other individuals were awarded the medal, including NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson.
However, the ceremony also sparked controversy, with some critics expressing outrage over the award to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and liberal billionaire George Soros. The controversy surrounding the two recipients led to a wave of criticism on social media.
Despite his absence from the ceremony, Messi said he was “deeply honored” to receive the award, calling it a “profound privilege.” However, he has not publicly commented on the controversy surrounding the event.