Lionel Messi, the Argentine soccer legend and seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, made history off the field, and that’s a pretty big deal for those of us in the Latino community. Just this month, Messi became the first-ever Latino soccer player to be awarded the United States Presidential Medal of Freedom. And this means a couple of things.
First of all, this honor cemented Messi’s legacy as one of the greatest athletes of all time. And secondly? It highlighted Latino contributions to American society. These things just don’t happen often. He is the third Latino athlete to receive this prestigious accolade, and the first Latino soccer player ever.
Messi’s preceded only by Roberto Clemente, the Puerto Rican baseball player who was posthumously awarded a Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush in 2003, and Chi Chi Rodriguez, a Puerto Rican golfer, also honored by President Bush in 2004.
This all may lead you to wonder: Why was Lionel Messi chosen for such a prestigious honor? Was it because of his soccer stardom, or is there something deeper behind the recognition? Yes and yes!
Lionel Messi Made History
On January 4, President Joe Biden named Messi one of the recipients of the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom. He actually became the second soccer player to ever receive a Medal of Freedom, behind U.S. Women’s Soccer player Megan Rapinoe, who was awarded the honor by President Biden in 2022.
Messi’s selection was certainly a testament to his unparalleled achievements in soccer – especially after joining Inter Miami CF in July 2023. In what was once a flailing club soccer team, created by fellow soccer legend David Beckham, Messi not only single-handedly lifted the team’s performance, but also significantly elevated the sport’s profile across the U.S. by making Major League Soccer (MLS) of interest to any and every American.
Messi the Humanitarian
But playing for an American team wasn’t the only reason he was awarded the Medal of Freedom. If you remember distinctly when he joined, almost every city Messi played in during his first MLS season was akin to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, given that so many local businesses benefited greatly. According to Investopedia, Messi’s addition to MLS generated roughly $256 million in ticket revenue for the league, more than 110,000 fans signed up for Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass the day the Messi deal was announced, and a potential $400 million worth of economic activity could be felt in Miami alone for those wanting to see a game with the greatest of all time, aka G.O.A.T.
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The 2022 World Cup champion is also known for his philanthropic work through the Messi Foundation, and his commitment as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, where he’s supported healthcare and education initiatives for children across the globe.
Why He Skipped the White House
You may have noticed on social media, however, that Messi was unable to attend the ceremony held at the White House earlier this month. According to his team, that was simply due to prior commitments with Inter Miami CF’s pre-season training in preparation for the upcoming soccer season. But in a heartfelt letter read during the ceremony, Messi expressed his deep gratitude for the honor and his regret at not being able to attend in person. He went on to convey his hope to meet President Biden in the future and thanked the American people for their continued support.
This year’s Medal of Freedom recipients also included basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, actor Denzel Washington, and chef Jose Andres, U-2 frontman singer Bono, and more, each honored for their unique contributions to culture, humanitarian efforts, and public service.
Why This Matters More Than You Think
Messi’s recognition isn’t just about his achievements; it’s a celebration of Latino culture and its global impact. Soccer has always been a cornerstone of Latino identity, and Messi’s journey from Rosario, Argentina, to the world stage inspires countless young Latinos to dream big.
Messi’s Medal of Freedom reminds us of one thing: excellence knows no borders. But what does his historic achievement mean for the future of Latino representation in sports and beyond?
