The United States government, headed by Joe Biden, just 15 days before his term ends, has awarded Lionel Messi the Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest honor reserved for civilians.

The distinguished merit was established through Executive Order 9586 in July 1945 with the provisions amended several times since then.

US Presidential Medal of Freedom

The medal may be awarded by the President as provided in this order to any person who has made an especially meritorious contribution to

The security or national interests of the United States

World peace

Cultural or other significant public or private endeavors

The President may select for the award of the Medal any person recommended to the President for award of the Medal or any person selected by the President upon his own initiative.

The principal announcement of awards of the Medal shall normally be made annually, on or about July 4 of each year; but such awards may be made at other times, as the President may deem appropriate.

Subject to the provisions of this Order, the Medal may be awarded posthumously.

Sports men and women honored by the POTUS

At this year’s medal ceremony, Messi was one of two sportsmen recognized along with basketball legend Magic Johnson, who retired from the courts shortly after the 92 Olympics but continues to perform in different parts of the country with the help of the NBA.

Many individuals who have excelled in the world of sport have been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom - some, such as legendary baseball star Babe Ruth and Jim Thorpe, the first native American to win an Olympic gold medal, were given the award posthumously.

Megan Rapinoe, Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan and Simone Biles were the most recent athletes to receive this award from the US Federal Government. However, Messi’s particularity is that he has only been living on North American soil for a year and a half, having played just 39 games for Inter Miami in all competitions since he touched down in Fort Lauderdale.

Sport men and women who have been recently awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Simone Biles

Megan Rapinoe

Katie Ledecky

Annika Sörenstam

Gary Player

Babe Didrikson Zaharias*

Lou Holtz

Dan Gable

Tiger Woods

Jerry West

Mariano Rivera

Roger Penske

Bob Cousy

Roger Staubach

Babe Ruth*

Michael Jordan

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Willie Mays

Yogi Berra

Ernie Banks

Pat Summitt

Bill Russell

Stan Musial

Billie Jean King

Buck O'Neil

Frank Robinson

Jack Nicklaus

Muhammad Ali

Arnold Palmer

John Wooden

Roberto Clemente

Hank Aaron

Arthur Ashe

Ted Williams

Messi, an American dream

Right from the moment he arrived in July 2023, Messi has enjoyed a certain amount of success in MLS. In his first few weeks he contributed to delivering the Leagues Cup - the first official trophy in Inter Miami’s history and in his second season he lifted the Copa América with Argentina.

Now, with the new MLS season fast approaching he will looking to add more silverware as Inter Miami have the chance to win five cups in 2025. And then the following year with the World Cup taking place in the United States, Mexico and Canada - something else for Leo to look forward to.