Pegasus Reporters Issues on the Wing
“The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest honour that can be bestowed to a civilian in the United States because it is awarded to people who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavours”
Lionel Messi (photo credit: skysports.com)
PEGASUS REPORTERS, LAGOS | JANUARY 6, 2025
Lionel Messi did not attend the ceremony, and his letter to the White House explained his absence. However, the Argentine football star Lionel Messi explained why he didn’t participate in the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony, where President Biden awarded 19 people the Medal.
Messi, one of the recipients, was conspicuously absent from the ceremony, a development that sparked a lot of discussions about the player on social media. However, quashing all rumours, Messi released a statement through his PR team explaining why he couldn’t attend.
Messi said in a statement released to media outlets, “I am very honoured to receive this award.
“I’m very grateful to President Biden and the United States for this great honour. Unfortunately, I was not able to atend the ceremony due to other commitments,” the official statement read.
However, the 37-year-old World Cup winner expressed a desire to meet POTUS in the near future.
“The White House informed FIFA, who informed the Club at the end of December that Leo was going to be awarded with this recognition. Leo, through the Club, sent a letter to the White House saying that he is deeply honoured and that it is a profound privilege to receive this recognition but that due to scheduling conflicts and prior commitments, he was going to be unable to attend,” the statement added.
*US President Joe Biden
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest honour that can be bestowed to a civilian in the United States because it is awarded to people who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavours.
Messi, who led Argentina to the World Cup in 2022 and inspired people around the world with his incredible career, received the award in recognition of his contributions to sports and his role as a global ambassador for unity and excellence.
The ceremony was held at the White House and attended by many prominent figures, including Hillary Clinton (former Secretary of State), Magic Johnson (basketball player), and Ralph Lauren (fashion designer).
Culled from https://www.timesnownews.com/
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