Lionel Messi spoke about why he was unable to attend the ceremony for the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which took place in January 2025 in Washington. This award is one of the most prestigious in the United States.
The Argentine forward was among the recipients due to a decision made by then-President Joe Biden, which was announced shortly before the end of his presidential term. The official statement from the White House emphasized that Messi was honored with this award for his humanitarian work, particularly through the Lionel Messi Foundation, as well as for supporting health and education programs for children around the world and his status as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
In 2025, the medal was awarded to 19 individuals, including well-known figures such as actors Denzel Washington and Michael J. Fox, as well as famous basketball player Earvin "Magic" Johnson. However, unlike most of the laureates, Messi did not attend the ceremony and did not send a representative, which caused a significant stir in sports and political circles.
In an interview commented on by journalist Fabrizio Romano, Messi expressed gratitude for the recognition and explained his situation regarding his commitments:
“It is a great honor for me, and I am sincerely grateful for it. Unfortunately, I had other obligations that prevented me from attending the ceremony at the White House on January 4. Nevertheless, I truly appreciate this gesture.”
It was later revealed that the White House notified FIFA, after which the information was passed on to Messi's club at the end of December. The footballer officially responded to these events, citing a scheduling conflict, and expressed hope for the possibility of meeting with the President of the United States in the future.
