Lionel Messi has addressed his absence from the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony, citing scheduling conflicts as the rationale he couldn’t attend. The soccer legend, who was amongst 19 honorees celebrated by President Joe Biden, shared that he was “deeply honoured” to obtain the popularity, calling it a profound privilege. The ceremony on Saturday was attended by key figures similar to Hillary Rodham Clinton, basketball legend Magic Johnson, clothier Ralph Lauren, and so on.
Here’s why Lionel Messi skipped Presidential Medal ceremony
The Presidential Medal of Freedom, the best civilian honour within the United States, is awarded to people who’ve made “excellent contributions to the nation’s prosperity, values, safety, international peace, or different important societal or private achievements,” as said by the White House.
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Lionel Messi, the Argentine World Cup champion, was notably from the ceremony, sparking on-line chatter about his absence. His PR group later defined that scheduling conflicts and prior commitments had prevented him from attending. However, in response to US Express, after studying in December that he would obtain the distinguished honour from President Joe Biden, Messi despatched a letter to the White House expressing his gratitude.
In the letter, he shared his deep appreciation for the gesture. While he couldn’t attend the occasion, Messi conveyed his hope to fulfill POTUS sooner or later. “The White House knowledgeable FIFA, who knowledgeable the Club on the finish of December that Leo was going to be awarded with this recognition. Leo, by way of the Club, despatched a letter to the White House saying that he’s deeply honored and that it’s a profound privilege to obtain this recognition however that on account of scheduling conflicts and prior commitments, he was going to be unable to attend,” an official assertion learn.
While the whereabouts of his commitments and schedules weren’t disclosed, it was revealed that Messi is presently having fun with a well-deserved break together with his household after a busy interval. His spouse, Antonela Roccuzzo, not too long ago shared pictures on Instagram of their New Year’s celebrations at a calming poolside location.
Earlier, many followers expressed disappointment that Messi didn’t attend a current necessary ceremony. Some criticized his absence, calling it “disrespectful” and even suggesting he “ghosted the president of the United States.”
Hillary Clinton, George Soros, extra obtained the best US civilian honour
Before Donald Trump’s inauguration because the forty seventh US President, Joe Biden awarded the Medal to outstanding figures spanning politics, sports activities, leisure, civil rights, LGBTQ advocacy, and science. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attended the ceremony along with her husband, former President Bill Clinton, their daughter Chelsea Clinton, and her grandchildren and obtained a standing ovation in the course of the ceremony.
Also learn: Joe Biden awards Hillary Clinton, Soros, Messi the Medal of Freedom
“For the ultimate time as president I’ve the consideration bestowing the Medal of Freedom, our nation’s highest civilian honor, on a bunch of extraordinary, really extraordinary folks, who gave their sacred effort, their sacred effort, to form the tradition and the reason for America,” Biden stated in his opening remarks on Saturday.
Four posthumous Presidential Medals of Freedom had been awarded to George W. Romney, former Michigan governor and housing secretary; Robert F. Kennedy, former Attorney General, and Senator; Ash Carter, former Secretary of Defense; and Fannie Lou Hamer, civil rights chief and founding father of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, AP stories.