File photo of Lionel Messi.© AFP
Argentina’s FIFA World Cup-winning star striker Lionel Messi will receive the highly coveted Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden, the White House confirmed on Saturday, Goal.com reports. 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 receive the honor along with National Basketball Association (NBA) league legend Magic Johnson and 17 other recipients.
The official White House statement, quoted by GOAL.com, read: “President Biden believes that great leaders maintain trust, give everyone a fair chance and put decency above all else. These nineteen great American leaders are Who have made America better.” They are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world.”
When Messi was awarded the prestigious medal, the White House said, “He supports health care and education programs for children around the world through the Leo Messi Foundation and serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.”
The 37-year-old moved to the United States in the summer of 2023 as he signed a deal with Inter Miami and he won the League Cup title with his team. In the second season, the club co-owned by David Beckham captured the MLS Supporters’ Shield, but could not secure the MLS Cup 2024 after losing to Atlanta United in the playoffs. During MLS 2024, Messi was named Most Valuable Player of the season.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star will be aiming to produce more stellar performances for Inter Miami as 2025 will be the final year of his deal with the club.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor in the United States, awarded to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to America’s prosperity, values, or security, world peace, or other significant social endeavors, which in Macy’s case included his Is human effort.
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