Argentine soccer famous person Lionel Messi skipped Saturday a White House ceremony the place he was awarded the United States’ highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden.
The World Cup and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, now performs within the United States for Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami.
Messi is the primary Argentine to obtain the dignity and the primary male soccer participant.
But whereas different recipients of the award, together with U2 singer and activist Bono, former basketball star Earvin “Magic” Johnson and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, attended the ceremony on the White House, Messi was absent.
Messi’s representatives stated in an announcement distributed by Inter Miami that Messi had a previous dedication.
“The White House informed FIFA, who informed the club at the end of December that Leo was going to be awarded with this recognition,” the assertion learn.
“Leo, via the membership, despatched a letter to the White House saying that he’s deeply honored and that it’s a profound privilege to obtain this recognition however that as a result of scheduling conflicts and prior commitments, he was going to be unable to attend.
“He appreciated the gesture and noted that he hopes to have the opportunity to meet in the near future,” the assertion added.
The award is given to people who’ve made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values or security of the United States, world peace or other significant societal, public or private endeavors,” based on the White House.
The White House assertion stated that Messi had been given the award as “the most decorated player in the history of professional soccer. He supports healthcare and education programs for children around the world through the Leo Messi Foundation and serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.”
Biden handed USA ladies’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe the medal in 2022, the primary time a soccer participant has been given the dignity.
Source: www.dailysabah.com