Joe Biden has been criticized online for including Lionel Messi on the list of people he will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to at a ceremony on Saturday.
The Inter Miami star moved to the United States in the summer of 2023 in a successful move orchestrated by David Beckham. Since then he has played 39 times with the Major League Soccer team, without winning the MLS Cup so far.
The Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor in the United States and Messi is expected to receive the award alongside Hilary Clinton, Magic Johnson, Bono and Denzel Washington at the White House on Saturday.
When news of Messi’s latest honor broke in the early hours of Saturday morning, it sparked an angry response online, with President Biden accused of downplaying such a prestigious award.
Messi, 37, will be honored for his charitable work with UNICEF and his own foundation, as well as his on-field success that last year saw him lift the Copa América on American soil after winning the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
‘What a joke. Politics is nonsense,” said the @JokePolitiks account on X. “Messi moved here a year ago. “If people get this award for being a good example and doing charity work, millions of people should get it.”
Lionel Messi receives the Medal of Freedom from outgoing President Biden by surprise
Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023 in a move orchestrated by co-owner David Beckham
Another X user simply wrote: ‘Will Messi receive a Presidential Medal of Freedom??? This administration is a fucking joke!’
One user questioned how Messi was getting the award before LeBron James, the leading point scorer in NBA history as well as being a four-time champion, saying: ‘Why Lionel Messi and not LeBron for the presidential medal of freedom’ .
A different X profile, Raza Olakh, said: “While Messi is a talented athlete, the Presidential Medal of Freedom traditionally recognizes profound contributions beyond sport.”
“This seems like an inappropriate use of such a prestigious award.”
Another response said: ‘Why does Messi receive the medal? I understand others; After all, you have to shine for your friends. But what did the footballer do to earn the Medal of Freedom?
The White House praised Messi’s work outside of football as part of its announcement, saying: “President Biden believes that great leaders keep the faith, give everyone a fair chance, and put decency before all else.”
‘These nineteen people are great leaders who have made America and the world a better place.
‘They are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world.
Biden will present the medal to 19 people on Saturday, including Hillary Clinton.
‘Lionel Messi is the most decorated player in the history of professional football. He supports healthcare and education programs for children around the world through the Leo Messi Foundation and serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
Other athletes who have received the Medal of Freedom in the past include Tiger Woods, Simone Biles, Megan Rapinoe and Katie Ledecky.
Messi played almost his entire career in Europe and enjoyed his best years with Spanish team Barcelona after joining their academy as a child.
He left the team in 2021 due to Barcelona’s financial problems that prevented them from paying him.
He played in Paris for two years before joining Miami in a $60 million-a-year deal funded in part by Apple and Major League Soccer.
His time in the United States so far has yielded varying degrees of success. Its first few weeks sparked a huge buzz with stars like Kim Kardashian, Tom Brady, Leonardo DiCaprio and Prince Harry watching it play across the United States.
Messi also led Miami to its first trophy, the Leagues Cup, with a penalty shootout victory over Nashville in Tennessee in the opening months.
But injuries cut short his second year, his first full season with Miami, and failing to win the MLS Cup was a big surprise given how favored Miami and Messi were, along with teammates like Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets.