On a very cold afternoon this Saturday, in the East Room of the White House, President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 of the most famous names in politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights advocacy, and science. The recognition, the highest honor for a civilian, is for “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other important social, public, or private efforts.”
Among those honored were Hillary Clinton, Democratic philanthropist George Soros, former NBA star "Magic" Johnson, singer Bono, and actors Denzel Washington and Michael J. Fox.
The presence of soccer player Lionel Messi was also considered, a situation that had generated great expectations, but the Inter Miami player did not show up.
Why didn't Messi go to receive the Presidential Medal from Joe Biden?
"For the last time as president, I have the honor of awarding the Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in our nation, to a truly extraordinary group of individuals, who gave their sacred effort to shape the culture and cause of the United States," Biden said in his opening remarks.
According to information from the Argentine newspaper Clarín, Messi received the news that he would be awarded the Presidential Medal at the end of December. However, the footballer already had prior commitments for that date, which made it impossible for him to attend the event. These commitments were part of his long vacation in Argentina.
The curious thing is that Messi was the only one of the honorees who did not attend or send a representative.
Upon learning that he would not be able to attend the White House, the Argentine star sent a message to Joe Biden through Inter Miami. "It is a profound honor to have been distinguished with this recognition (...). It is an enormous privilege and I am deeply grateful for it (...). Unfortunately, I have a prior commitment and will not be able to attend the ceremony at the White House on January 4 (...). However, I want you to know that I sincerely value this gesture," were the main phrases of the text according to Clarín.
Who were the other recipients of the award?
Four medals were awarded posthumously. They were given to George W. Romney, who was governor of Michigan and secretary of housing and urban development; former attorney general and senator Robert F. Kennedy; Ash Carter, a former secretary of defense; and Fannie Lou Hamer, who founded the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and laid the groundwork for the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Among the great philanthropists who received the award are the Hispanic-American chef José Andrés, whose charitable organization World Central Kitchen has become one of the most recognized food aid organizations in the world, and Bono, the lead singer of the rock band U2 and social justice activist.
Other awardees include conservationist Jane Goodall; Vogue magazine editor Anna Wintour; American fashion designer Ralph Lauren; American Film Institute founder George Stevens Jr.; LGBTQ+ entrepreneur and activist Tim Gill, and David Rubenstein, co-founder of global investment firm The Carlyle Group.