In January 2025, a ceremony for the Presidential Medal of Freedom took place in Washington, where Lionel Messi, the Argentine forward, was awarded this high honor by then-President Joe Biden.
The award was given for his significant contribution to humanitarian initiatives, including the work of the Lionel Messi Foundation, support for children's programs in healthcare and education, as well as his role as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
This year, 19 laureates received the medal, including celebrities such as actors Denzel Washington and Michael J. Fox, as well as NBA legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson. However, unlike the other awardees, Messi did not attend the event and did not send a representative, which became a topic of discussion in sports and political circles.
In an interview provided by journalist Fabrizio Romano, Messi expressed gratitude for the award but explained the reasons for his absence:
“For me, this recognition is a great honor, and I am sincerely grateful. Unfortunately, I had prior commitments scheduled, so I could not attend the ceremony on January 4 at the White House. Nevertheless, I truly appreciate this gesture.”
It later became known that the White House informed FIFA about the award, and the information was passed on to Messi's club at the end of December. In response, the footballer noted that he had a scheduling conflict and expressed hope for the possibility of meeting with the President of the United States in the future.
