Joe Biden slammed for ‘bulls***’ decision to award Lionel Messi the Medal of Freedom

Joe Biden is being criticized online for including Lionel Messi on the list of people he will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to during a ceremony on Saturday.

The Inter Miami star 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. Messi is expected to receive the award at the White House on Saturday along with Hilary Clinton, Magic Johnson, Bono and Denzel Washington.

When news of Messi’s latest honor broke early Saturday morning, it sparked angry reactions online, with President Biden accused of downplaying the significance of such a prestigious award.

Messi, 37, is being honored for his charity work with UNICEF and his own foundation, as well as his success on the pitch, which saw him win the Copa America on US soil last year after winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

‘What a joke. Politics is such bull***,” said the account @JokePolitiks on X. “Messi moved here a year ago. If people get this award for being a good example and doing charity work, millions of people should get it.”

Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023, orchestrated by co-owner David Beckham

Another user on This government is a fucking joke!’

One user wondered how Messi got the award before LeBron James – the highest point scorer in NBA history as well as a four-time champion – said: “Why Lionel Messi and not LeBron for the Presidential Medal of Freedom.”

Another X profile, Raza Olakh, said: “Although Messi is a gifted athlete, the Presidential Medal of Freedom traditionally recognizes profound contributions outside of sport.

“This seems like a misguided use of such a prestigious award.”

Another answer read: ‘Why does Messi get the medal? I understand the others; You gotta give bling to your homies. But what did the football player do to earn the Medal of Freedom?’

The White House praised Messi’s work outside of football as part of their announcement, saying: ‘President Biden believes that great leaders keep the faith, give everyone a fair chance and put decency above all else.

“These nineteen individuals are great leaders who have made America and the world a better place.

“They are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world.

Biden will present the medal to 19 people on Saturday, including Hillary Clinton

Lionel Messi is the most decorated player in the history of professional football. He supports healthcare and education programs for children around the world through the Leo Messi Foundation and serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.”

Other athletes who have received the Medal of Freedom in the past include Tiger Woods, Simone Biles, Megan Rapinoe and Katie Ledecky.

Messi played almost his entire career in Europe and enjoyed his best years with Spanish team Barcelona after joining their academy as a boy.

He left the team in 2021 with Barcelona’s financial problems preventing them from paying him.

He played in Paris for two years before heading to Miami on a $60 million-a-year contract partially funded by Apple and Major League Soccer.

His time in the United States has yielded mixed success so far. His first few weeks generated enormous excitement as stars such as Kim Kardashian, Tom Brady, Leonardo DiCaprio and Prince Harry saw him play in the United States.

Messi also led Miami to their first ever trophy – the Leagues Cup – with a penalty shootout victory over Nashville in Tennessee in the first few months.

But injuries disrupted his second year, his first full season with Miami, and not winning the MLS Cup was a big surprise given how heavily favored Miami and Messi were, along with teammates like Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets.