Lionel Messi did not participate in the ceremony honoring 19 individuals by U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House, which took place on Saturday.
The Argentine international was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Biden, the highest civilian honor in the United States, given for achievements in impactful charitable and institutional fields.
Messi’s absence from the ceremony, which included prominent names like actor Denzel Washington, raised many questions and speculation about whether political stances played a role.
For his part, Messi put an end to all the controversy by releasing a statement through his media team to the American press, apologizing for his absence and revealing the unexpected reason behind it.
Messi’s team stated, “Messi feels immense pride and honor for this recognition.”
They added, “Messi was unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts and prior commitments, but he hopes to have the opportunity to meet President Biden in the near future.”
Messi joined Inter Miami in the summer of 2023, and since then, he has become one of the most influential figures in American society.
The 36-year-old is preparing to lead his team in a major event, the 2025 Club World Cup, scheduled for next June on American soil.
