Archive photo of Lionel Messi.©AFP
Argentine star striker Lionel Messi, a FIFA World Cup winner, will receive the coveted Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden, the White House confirmed on Saturday, Goal.com reported. It is the country’s highest civilian honor and Messi, who plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States, will win it alongside the National Basketball Association (NBA) legend , Magic Johnson, and 17 other recipients.
The official White House statement is quoted by GOAL.com: “President Biden believes that great leaders keep the faith, give everyone a fair chance, and put decency above all else. These nineteen Americans are great leaders who made America better They are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world.
Commenting on awarding Messi the prestigious medal, the White House said: “He supports health and education programs for children around the world through the Leo Messi Foundation and is a goodwill ambassador of UNICEF.”
The 37-year-old moved to the United States in the summer of 2023, signing a deal with Inter Miami and winning the Leagues Cup title with his team. In the second season, David Beckham’s co-owned club secured the MLS Supporters Shield but was unable to win the 2024 MLS Cup after losing to Atlanta United in the playoffs. In MLS 2024, Messi was named the season’s Most Valuable Player.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star will aim to deliver greater performances for Inter Miami as 2025 marks the final year of his contract with the club.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor of the United States, awarded to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other important societal efforts, which in Messi’s case includes his humanitarian efforts.
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