Argentina captain Lionel Messi and legendary former Los Angeles Lakers point guard Earvin “Magic” Johnson were the recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a star-studded ceremony at the White House on Saturday.
The medal which is America’s highest civilian honor, is presented to people who have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values or security of the United States, world peace or other significant societal, public or private endeavors,” according to the White House.
Johnson and Messi were among 19 of the most famous names in politics, sports, entertainment, civil rights and science who were bestowed the honour by President Joe Biden.
Messi, who did not attend the ceremony, supports health care and education programs for children around the world through the Leo Messi Foundation and serves as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time, the former Barcelona star holds numerous individual records with eight Ballon d’Or awards and also being named FIFA’s world’s best player on eight occasions.
The 37 year old is also the most decorated player in the history of professional football, having won 45 team trophies, including ten Spanish League titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, four UEFA Champions Leagues, two Copa Americas and one FIFA World Cup.
In his first full season with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer (MLS), Messi was named 2024 league MVP after scoring 20 goals and adding 16 assists in 19 matches while his club set a league record with a 74-point campaign.
Johnson, often regarded as the greatest point guard of all time, was a five-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, and is a two-time inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He was also honored as one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history in 1996 and then selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.
Since retiring, the 65 year old has been an advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention. His philanthropic work also supports under served communities through his Magic Johnson Foundation.
He is also part of ownership groups for the Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Sparks, Los Angeles FC in MLS and the NWSL’s Washington Spirit.
Several cultural icons were also awarded the medal, among them U2 front man and activist Bono, actor and Parkinson’s disease research advocate Michael J. Fox, actor Denzel Washington and playwright George Stevens Jr.
