Messi Receives First U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom for First Male Soccer Player

Lionel Messi, dubbed the "God of Football," has been selected as the "Presidential Medal of Freedom," the highest honor given by the U.S. president to ordinary citizens.President

Joe Biden announced 19 candidates for the "Presentational Medal of Freedom," including Messi and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, longtime Democratic backer George Soros, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, Bono of Rockstar U2, actor Michael J. Fox and longtime basketball star Magic Johnson.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest honor given by the President every year to a person who has made outstanding achievements in the fields of American security and national interest, world peace, and culture and art.

Among them, Messi is the first male soccer player to receive a U.S. presidential free medal, and the first Argentine national to receive a medal, according to the Argentine daily Clarin.

The White House explained that Messi was chosen as the winner because he has been conducting health and education programs for children around the world through the Leo Messi Foundation, as well as his outstanding career as a soccer player, and also serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

The medal was first presented by then-President Harry Truman in 1945 to civilians and soldiers who contributed in World War II under the name "Freedom Medal".

Since 1963, then-President John F. Kennedy has expanded the scope to various fields in peace in addition to contributions in war, renamed it the "Presidential Medal of Freedom" and raised the formality.

Some sports figures who have received the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom include Muhammad Ali (punishment), Michael Jordan (basketball), Arthur Ashe (tennis), and Simone Biles (gym).