Soccer legend Lionel Messi was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Saturday, however he didn’t present as much as the White Home in particular person to obtain the medal from President Biden. Messi was certainly one of 19 recipients of the award, alongside NBA Corridor of Famer Magic Johnson.
In keeping with USA Today, Messi’s administration staff and his professional staff, Inter Miami, knowledgeable the White Home forward of time that he wouldn’t be capable of attend the ceremony as a result of scheduling conflicts.
Messi got here to the U.S. in 2023 to affix Main League Soccer’s Inter Miami, in one of many largest celebrity recruitments within the league’s 31-year historical past. Messi had solely performed in European leagues and for Argentina’s for many of his profession to that time.
“Leo Messi is essentially the most embellished participant within the historical past {of professional} soccer. He helps well being and education schemes for youngsters worldwide by means of his Messi Basis and serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador,” a White Home spokesperson introduced as Biden held the medal.
Main League Soccer launched a quick social media assertion congratulating Messi on the award. Messi himself has not acknowledged the award with a social media put up on the time of publication. In keeping with USA In the present day, the star stated that “he’s deeply honored and it’s a profound privilege to obtain the popularity.”
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Lionel Messi, #10 of Inter Miami CF, celebrates after scoring a objective throughout the second half towards the Orlando Metropolis SC at Chase Stadium on March 2, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Photographs)
The medal is the nation’s highest civilian honor, introduced to individuals who have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values or safety of america, world peace or different important societal, public or personal endeavors,” in keeping with the White Home.
Biden’s re-election marketing campaign talked about Messi’s arrival to Main League Soccer as a catalyst for soccer’s rising significance amongst U.S. audiences, throughout the 2024 Copa America soccer event in Atlanta in June.
After Messi led Argentina to the World Cup title in December 2022, Biden jokingly wrote, “You understand, I believe that Messi man might need a future,” in a congratulatory X put up.
Nevertheless, as Messi was absent, Saturday’s ceremony additionally incited controversy. Information that Biden would award the medal to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and left-wing billionaire George Soros sparked mass outrage on social media and backlash, particularly from distinguished conservative figures.
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Social media erupted in anger Saturday morning with information that President Biden will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and left-wing billionaire George Soros. (Shannon Finney/Getty Photographs, left, Fabrice Coffrini/AFP through Getty Photographs, proper, Getty, inset. )
Critics identified Clinton’s dealing with of the conflict in Libya and the assault on United States authorities services in Benghazi, Libya, in addition to her controversial personal e-mail server for presidency enterprise, which prompted former FBI Director James Comey to say publicly that Clinton had mishandled categorised info.
The award to Soros, a Democrat megadonor, was slammed primarily based on the billionaire’s previous marketing campaign funding of progressive district attorneys who’ve been mild on crime, which they are saying has led to crime waves in Blue cities.
“Severely, two of the worst individuals on earth, On-line commentator Blake Habyan wrote on X of Clinton and Soros.
Messi has not expressed any distinguished political views throughout his profession.
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Lionel Messi, #10 of Inter Miami CF, waves to the followers after a draw throughout a match between Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF at DRV PNK Stadium on August 30, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (James Gilbert/Getty Photographs)
In February 2024, Messi didn’t play in an exhibition match in Hong Kong, staying on the bench throughout a match between Inter Miami and a neighborhood staff. After his refusal to play, certainly one of Argentina’s pleasant matches that was set to be performed in China in March was cancelled.
China’s state-run newspaper, the World Occasions, printed an editorial highlighting a “idea” with out proof that instructed Messi’s actions had “political motives” and that “exterior forces” wished to embarrass Hong Kong. However Messi insisted that his determination to not play within the match wasn’t politically pushed on the time.
“I’ve heard individuals say that I didn’t wish to play (in Hong Kong) for political causes and plenty of different causes which can be completely unfaithful,” Messi stated in Spanish in a video with Chinese language and English subtitles. “Had that been the case, I wouldn’t have even traveled to Japan or visited China as many instances as I’ve.”
Extensively considered one of many best soccer gamers of all time, Messi, 37, has set quite a few particular person data with eight Ballon d’Or awards and eight instances being named FIFA’s world’s finest participant. He’s essentially the most embellished participant within the historical past {of professional} soccer, having received 45 staff trophies, together with 4 UEFA Champions Leagues, two Copa Americas and one FIFA World Cup.
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