Brett Favre slams Joe Biden’s Medal of Freedom selections that included Lionel Messi and Magic Johnson

NFL Hall of Famer Brett Favre was among the critics of Joe Biden’s Presidential Medals of Freedom recipients this weekend.

The outgoing commander-in-chief came under scrutiny for his selection for the prestigious honor as he presented the medals for his final term in office on Saturday at the White House.

Football star Lionel Messi and NBA legend ‘Magic’ Johnson were the only sports stars on the list, alongside Hillary Clinton, the former first lady, senator and secretary of state, and Democratic super-donor George Soros and 15 others.

And Favre, a former Super Bowl-winning quarterback with the Green Bay Packers, was among many who targeted Biden for presenting the awards to certain recipients.

“What words would you use to describe the White House medals that were handed out because I am honestly speechless,” Favre, who has been a staunch supporter of new President Donald Trump, wrote on X.

Biden’s choice of Messi in particular had raised eyebrows within the sports community online.

The former Super Bowl-winning quarterback questioned the selections this weekend

The Inter Miami star, who did not attend the ceremony, moved to the United States in the summer of 2023 in a blockbuster move orchestrated by David Beckham. Since then, he has made 39 appearances for the Major League Soccer team, without winning the MLS Cup to date.

The Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor in the United States and Biden’s choice of the Argentine led many to accuse him of diminishing the significance of the award.

Messi reportedly skipped the glitzy ceremony due to scheduling conflicts.

Meanwhile, Biden’s presentation of the medal to Clinton, President-elect Trump’s White House rival in 2016, drew criticism for her handling of the war in Libya and her controversial private email server for government business.

Biden also presented the award to Soros, considered the boogeyman of Democratic super donors and restaurateur Jose Andres, who withdrew from a Trump hotel project over the Republican’s anti-immigrant comments, sparking a yearslong legal battle.

Soros received the award, the White House said, because of his foundation’s work to “strengthen democracy, human rights, education and social justice.”

Andres received the award for his charity World Central Kitchen’s efforts to feed people in war zones and in the aftermath of natural disasters.

Unlike Messi, Johnson, a five-time NBA champion, did collect his medal at the White House, where he was seen crouching so Biden could wrap the medal around his neck.

Lionel Messi was named among the recipients but did not attend the ceremony

NBA legend Magic Johnson received the prestigious honor at the White House on Saturday

Biden was criticized by some recipients, including Hillary Clinton, a former First Lady

Johnson then shared a handshake and a smile with the outgoing president. He also posed for photos with Hollywood legend Denzel Washington, who was also honored on Saturday.

After the ceremony, Johnson released a statement detailing his pride in the award.

“I am so humbled and overwhelmed with emotion right now. It is an absolute honor and privilege that President Joe Biden has selected me for the esteemed Presidential Medal of Freedom,” he wrote on Instagram.

“Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that this boy from Lansing, MI would one day grow up and receive one of the highest civilian honors in the United States.

“It is both humbling and inspiring to be in the company of so many remarkable individuals.”

Johnson thanked Biden for the award, which celebrated his success with the Lakers — and his work off the court through the “Magic Johnson Foundation.”