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US President Joe Biden is all set to hand Lionel Messi the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian award, the White House has confirmed. The Argentinean superstar's impact on world football in the past two decades has been unmatched.
After conquering Europe with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), the 37-year-old moved to Inter Miami in the summer of 2023. He has taken MLS by storm so far, helping the Herons win two trophies.
In a recent statement, the White House revealed that 19 people will be honored by President Biden.
“President Biden believes great leaders keep the faith, give everyone a fair shot, and put decency above all else. These nineteen Americans are great leaders who have made America a better place. They are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world,” read the statement.
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While Lionel Messi has been outstanding on the pitch for Inter Miami, the statement adds that the award is for his work off the pitch.
“He supports healthcare and education programs for children around the world through the Leo Messi Foundation and serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador,” it continued.
Apart from La Pulga, American basketball legend Magic Johnson will also be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
How many Ballons d'Or has Lionel Messi won in his career?
Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d'Or a record eight times in his career. The award is arguably the greatest individual honor in the football world, handed to the best player in the world each year.
For context, the Argentinean's rival Cristiano Ronaldo has won the Ballon d'Or five times in his career. La Pulga first won the prestigious award in 2009 and proceeded to win it again for the next three years.
Messi remains the only player ever to win the Ballon d'Or four consecutive times. When the Argentinean left Barcelona in 2021, he had won the award six times with the Catalans.
La Pulga also won the Ballon d'Or in 2023 with PSG, fresh off his nation's triumph at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Lionel Messi's final win came in 2023, as an Inter Miami player. Interestingly, his contract at the Chase Stadium expires at the end of this year.
The Argentinean wasn't included among the shortlisted candidates for the award this year. Manchester City's Rodri won the honors, narrowly beating Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior.
