Lionel Messi skips Biden's Medal of Freedom ceremony as Clinton, Soros awards spark outrage

Soccer legend Lionel Messi was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Saturday, but he did not show up to the White House in person to receive the medal from President Biden. Messi was one of 19  alongside NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson.

According to Messi's management team and his pro team, Inter Miami, informed the White House ahead of time that he would not be able to attend the ceremony due to scheduling conflicts. 

Messi came to the U.S. in 2023 to join Major League Soccer's Inter Miami, in one of the biggest superstar recruitments in the league's 31-year history. Messi had only played in European leagues and for Argentina's for most of his career to that point.  

"Leo Messi is the most decorated player in the history of professional football. He supports health and education programs for children worldwide through his Messi Foundation and serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador," a White House spokesperson announced as Biden held the medal.