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

Soccer legend Lionel Messi was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Saturday, however he didn’t present as much as the White Home in particular person to obtain the medal from President Biden. Messi was one in all 19 recipients of the award, alongside NBA Corridor of Famer Magic Johnson.

In accordance with USA Right this moment, Messi’s administration workforce and his professional workforce, Inter Miami, knowledgeable the White Home forward of time that he wouldn’t have the ability to attend the ceremony resulting from scheduling conflicts. 

Messi got here to the U.S. in 2023 to hitch Main League Soccer’s Inter Miami, in one of many greatest celebrity recruitments within the league’s 31-year historical past. Messi had solely performed in European leagues and for Argentina’s for many of his profession to that time.  

“Leo Messi is probably the most embellished participant within the historical past {of professional} soccer. He helps well being and teaching programs for kids worldwide by way of his Messi Basis and serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador,” a White Home spokesperson introduced as Biden held the medal.  

Main League Soccer launched a short social media assertion congratulating Messi on the award. Messi himself has not acknowledged the award with a social media submit on the time of publication. In accordance with USA Right this moment, the star stated that “he’s deeply honored and it’s a profound privilege to obtain the popularity.”

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Lionel Messi, #10 of Inter Miami CF, celebrates after scoring a aim throughout the second half towards the Orlando Metropolis SC at Chase Stadium on March 2, 2024, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  (Megan Briggs/Getty Photos)

The medal is the nation’s highest civilian honor, offered to individuals who have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values or safety of the US, world peace or different important societal, public or personal endeavors,” in line with the White Home.

Biden’s re-election marketing campaign talked about Messi’s arrival to Main League Soccer as a catalyst for soccer’s rising significance amongst U.S. audiences, throughout the 2024 Copa America soccer match in Atlanta in June. 

After Messi led Argentina to the World Cup title in December 2022, Biden jokingly wrote, “, I feel that Messi man might need a future,” in a congratulatory X submit.

Nevertheless, as Messi was absent, Saturday’s ceremony additionally incited controversy. Information that Biden would award the medal to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and left-wing billionaire George Soros sparked mass outrage on social media and backlash, particularly from outstanding conservative figures. 

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Social media erupted in anger Saturday morning with information that President Biden will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and left-wing billionaire George Soros. (Shannon Finney/Getty Photos, left, Fabrice Coffrini/AFP by way of Getty Photos, proper, Getty, inset. )

Critics identified Clinton’s dealing with of the battle in Libya and the assault on United States authorities amenities in Benghazi, Libya, in addition to her controversial personal e mail server for presidency enterprise, which prompted former FBI Director James Comey to say publicly that Clinton had mishandled categorised info. 

The award to Soros, a Democrat megadonor, was slammed based mostly on the billionaire’s previous marketing campaign funding of progressive district attorneys who’ve been mild on crime, which they are saying has led to crime waves in Blue cities.  

“Critically, two of the worst folks on earth, On-line commentator Blake Habyan wrote on X of Clinton and Soros. 

Messi has not expressed any outstanding political views throughout his profession. 

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Lionel Messi, #10 of Inter Miami CF, waves to the followers after a draw throughout a match between Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF at DRV PNK Stadium on August 30, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (James Gilbert/Getty Photos)

In February 2024, Messi didn’t play in an exhibition match in Hong Kong, staying on the bench throughout a match between Inter Miami and an area workforce. After his refusal to play, one in all Argentina’s pleasant matches that was set to be performed in China in March was cancelled. 

China’s state-run newspaper, the World Instances, printed an editorial highlighting a “concept” with out proof that recommended Messi’s actions had “political motives” and that “exterior forces” wished to embarrass Hong Kong. However Messi insisted that his resolution to not play within the match wasn’t politically pushed on the time. 

“I’ve heard folks say that I didn’t need to play (in Hong Kong) for political causes and plenty of different causes which are completely unfaithful,” Messi stated in Spanish in a video with Chinese language and English subtitles. “Had that been the case, I wouldn’t have even traveled to Japan or visited China as many occasions as I’ve.”

Extensively considered one of many best soccer gamers of all time, Messi, 37, has set quite a few particular person information with eight Ballon d’Or awards and eight occasions being named FIFA’s world’s finest participant. He’s probably the most embellished participant within the historical past {of professional} soccer, having gained 45 workforce trophies, together with 4 UEFA Champions Leagues, two Copa Americas and one FIFA World Cup.

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