Lionel Messi skips Biden's Medal of Freedom ceremony as Clinton, Soros awards spark outrage

Biden gives prestigious award to Hillary Clinton, George Soros and other celebrities

Soccer legend Lionel Messi was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Saturday, but he did not show up to the White House in person to receive the medal from President Biden. Messi was one of 19 recipients of the award, alongside NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson.

According to USA Today, Messi's management team and his pro team, Inter Miami, informed the White House ahead of time that he would not be able to attend the ceremony due to scheduling conflicts. 

Messi came to the U.S. in 2023 to join Major League Soccer's Inter Miami, in one of the biggest superstar recruitments in the league's 31-year history. Messi had only played in European leagues and for Argentina's for most of his career to that point.  

"Leo Messi is the most decorated player in the history of professional football. He supports health and education programs for children worldwide through his Messi Foundation and serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador," a White House spokesperson announced as Biden held the medal.  

Major League Soccer released a brief social media statement congratulating Messi on the award. Messi himself has not acknowledged the award with a social media post at the time of publication. According to USA Today, the star said that "he is deeply honored and it is a profound privilege to receive the recognition."

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Lionel Messi, of Inter Miami CF, celebrates after scoring a goal against Orlando City SC at Chase Stadium on March 2, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

The medal is the nation's highest civilian honor, presented to people who have made "exemplary