Argentina’s Lionel Messi throughout coaching, Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE, November 14, 2022. — Reuters
Lionel Messi was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the very best civilian honor in the USA, by President Joe Biden on Saturday however didn’t attend the ceremony on the White Home.
The Argentine World Cup winner and eight instances Ballon d’Or winner, now performs in the USA for Main League Soccer’s Inter Miami.
Messi is the primary Argentine to obtain the honour and the primary male soccer participant.
However whereas different recipients of the award, together with U2 singer and activist Bono, former basketball star Earvin “Magic” Johnson and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, attended the ceremony on the White Home, Messi was absent.
Messi’s representatives mentioned in a press release distributed by Inter Miami that Messi had a previous dedication.
“The White House informed FIFA, who informed the club at the end of December that Leo was going to be awarded with this recognition,” the assertion learn.
“Leo, through the club, sent a letter to the White House saying that he is deeply honored and that it is a profound privilege to receive this recognition but that due to scheduling conflicts and prior commitments he was going to be unable to attend.
“He appreciated the gesture and famous that he hopes to have the chance to satisfy within the close to future,” the statement added.
The award is given to individuals who have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values or safety of the USA, world peace or different vital societal, public or personal endeavors,” according to the White House.
The White House statement said that Messi had been given the award as “probably the most adorned participant within the historical past {of professional} soccer. He helps healthcare and education schemes for youngsters world wide by way of the Leo Messi Basis and serves as a Unicef Goodwill Ambassador.”
Biden handed USA ladies’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe the medal in 2022, the primary time a soccer participant has been given the honour.
