U.S outgoing president Joe Biden has awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 individuals including Lionel Messi.
The award is the highest civilian honor in the country. It is presented to individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values or security of the United States, world peace or other significant societal, public or private endeavors
Among the people who received the aware are Hillary Clinton, billionaire philanthropist George Soros, Fashion Icon Anna Wintour, actor Denzel Washington, Michael J. Fox, William Nye etc.
In the sports fraternity, Magic Johnson and Lionel Messi also received the award.
Lionel Messi is currently the caption for Inter Miami CF, a football team in the United States of America.
The Argentine football super star has a foundation that supports education and healthcare programs for children around the world. He also serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Perhaps these were the reasons he was considered for the award.
The Inter Miami captain notified the White house of his inability to attend the ceremony but expressed gratitude for the recognition
