Magic Johnson left emotional at Presidential Medal of Freedom award ceremony Lionel Messi skipped

‘Magic’ Johnson said he was “humbled and overwhelmed with emotion” after being honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Saturday.

The NBA legend was one of 19 people awarded America’s highest civilian honor by outgoing President Joe Biden.

It is reserved for ‘individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values ​​or security of the United States, world peace, or other important civic, public or private endeavors.”

Johnson and football legend Lionel Messi were the only sports stars on the list. But while Messi skipped the ceremony, Johnson headed to the White House to receive his award.

Comical footage showed the five-time NBA champion crouching so Biden could wrap the medal around his neck.

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.

The NBA legend was one of 19 people to receive America’s highest civilian honor on Saturday

Johnson was forced to crouch so President Biden could wrap the medal around his neck

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 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.”

‘This award is not just mine; it belongs to everyone who helped me become the person and businessman I am today,” he continued, citing his family, “friends, mentors and colleagues.”

‘It also belongs to everyone who has worked for the goals of freedom, justice and equality.

‘I accept this honor with a deep sense of responsibility. It serves as a reminder of the work ahead and the change we can all help bring about! I promise to continue working to make a positive difference for our country and the world.”

Lionel Messi, pictured last week with his wife Antonela, decided not to attend the ceremony

Johnson poses for a portrait of Michelle Obama with his mother Christine

The NBA legend was honored alongside Hollywood icon Denzel Washington (right)

Other sports stars to receive the Medal of Freedom in recent years include Tiger Woods, Megan Rapinoe and Olympic heroes Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky.

This year’s recipients also included U2 frontman Bono, Hillary Clinton and Hollywood stars Michael J. Fox and Washington.

However, Messi was not at the White House, and his absence was said to be due to a ‘scheduling issue’.

It was also reported that no one was present to accept the award on his behalf, and the announcer even skipped Messi’s name when reading out the 2025 recipients of the medal.

On Friday, Messi was photographed playing football with some children at his home in Rosario, Argentina, after spending Christmas in Miami with his family.

The decision to give him the honor had already sparked crowd anger earlier in the day, with one fan describing it as ‘bulls***’.