Lionel Messi was decorated this saturday with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. However, the captain of the Argentine National Team, on vacation with his family in Argentina, was the only one of the 19 recipients who did not receive the award from the president of the United States. Joe Bidenwho led an emotional ceremony in the East Room of the White House, in Washington DC.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is a very particular award for Messi beyond the countless number of awards he collected throughout a monumental career that led him to be the best footballer in history. It is that he was honored with eThe highest civilian honor in the North American country which is awarded to individuals who have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other important social, public, or private endeavors.”
According to the White House, the choice of the man from Rosario was made not only because of his masterful career as athletes, but also because of the health and education programs for children around the world that he supports through the Leo Messi FoundationIn addition to his work as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. The Inter Miami star is not only the first Argentine to receive this recognition, but he is also the first male soccer player to achieve it. Megan Rapinoeformer captain of the United States women’s soccer team and social rights activist, received the medal in 2022 also from Biden.
In addition to Messi, who was not even mentioned during the evening – there was speculation that he would receive the medal virtually -, the leader of U2, Bono; former Secretary of State and Democratic Senator Hillary Clintonthe actors Michael J. Fox y Denzel Washingtonthe former basketball player Earvin Magic Johnsonthe designer Ralph Laurenthe philanthropist George Soros and the media executive Anna Wintour.
Although the Medal of Freedom is not intended to be partisan, those honored can reflect the political inclinations of a president, as highlighted Bloomberg citing the cases of Clinton, the 2016 Democratic presidential candidate who ran against Donald Trumpwho will return to the White House on January 20, and Soros, a prominent supporter of liberal causes and candidates.
Clinton, the 2016 Democratic presidential candidate and one of the most applauded during the gala, competed against Donald Trumpwho is about to return to the White House on January 20.
Soros He is a prominent supporter of liberal causes and candidates. George W. Romneyone of four to be named posthumously, was governor of Michigan and secretary of housing and urban development. His son Mitt, a senator from Utah, was one of Trump’s most vocal Republican critics.
Among other beneficiaries are the conservationist Jane Goodalle and the Spanish chef Jose Andreswho founded World Central Kitchen and according to the White House “revolutionized the way food aid reaches communities affected by natural disasters and conflicts around the world.”
Meanwhile, Michael J. Fox was chosen for his advocacy of Parkinson’s disease research and development; the presenter William Nyefor his defense of scientific education; David Rubensteinco-founder of the Carlyle Group, for his dedication to the restoration of monuments; and the singer Bono for his activism to fight the spread of HIV.
Bono receives the medal from Biden. Photo: ReutersTim GillLGBTQ+ activist and founder of publishing software company Quarkwas also selected for helping “achieve key victories in the fight for marriage equality and anti-discrimination protections,” while filmmaker George Stevens Jr.founder of American Film Institutefor “the American ideals of racial equity and justice for half a century.”
The remaining four medals were awarded posthumously: Robert F. Kennedyformer attorney general and senator; Ashton CarterSecretary of Defense in the Obama administration; Fannie Lou Hamerfounder of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party that laid the foundation for the Voting Rights Act of 1965; and George Romney, CEO of an automobile company, Republican governor of Michigan and third secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
Michael J. Fox receives the medal from Joe Biden. Photo: REUTERS/Ken CedenoIn Kennedy’s case, his son Robert Jr. will command the Secretary of Health and Human Services during the Republican’s imminent second term, while Mitt Romney – George’s son – was one of Trump’s most critical Republican senators.
Last year, Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 other people, including the deceased Medgar Eversformer speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy PelosiRepresentative James Clyburn from South Carolina and actress Michelle Yeoh.