Joe Biden has been slammed by online for including Lionel Messi on the list of people he is awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom to in a ceremony on Saturday.

The Inter Miami star moved to the United States in the summer of 2023 in a blockbuster move orchestrated by David Beckham. He has played 39 times for the Major League Soccer team since then, without winning the MLS Cup so far. 

The Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor in the United States. Messi did not appear at the ceremony on Saturday, where he had been expected to receive the award alongside Hilary Clinton, Magic Johnson, Bono and Denzel Washington at the White House.  

As the news of Messi’s latest honor broke in the early hours of Saturday morning, it provoked some angry response online with President Biden being accused of lessening the meaning of such a prestigious award.

Messi, 37, is being honored for his charity work with UNICEF and his own foundation, as well as his success on the field which last year saw him lift the Copa America on US soil after winning the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. 

‘What a joke. Politics is such bulls***,’ the account @JokePolitiks said on X. ‘Messi moved here a year ago. If people get this award for being a good example and doing charity work, millions of people should get it.’

Lionel Messi is a surprise recipient of the Medal of Freedom from the outgoing President Biden

Messi joined Inter Miami in 2023 in a move orchestrated by part-owner David Beckham

Another user on X simply wrote: ‘Messi is getting a Presidential Medal of Freedom??? This administration is a f***ing joke!’

One user questioned how Messi was getting the award before LeBron James – the highest points scorer in the history of the NBA as well as being a four-time champion – saying: ‘Why Lionel Messi and not LeBron for presidential medal of freedom.’ 

A different X profile, Raza Olakh, said: ‘While Messi is a gifted athlete the Presidential Medal of Freedom traditionally recognizes profound contributions beyond sports. 

‘This seems like a misplaced use of such a prestigious award.’

Another response said: ‘Why is Messi getting the medal? I understand the others; gotta give bling to your homies after all. But what did the soccer player do to earn the Medal of Freedom?’

The White House praised Messi’s work away from soccer as part of their announcement, saying: ‘President Biden believes great leaders keep the faith, give everyone a fair shot, and put decency above all else.

‘These nineteen individuals are great leaders who have made America and the world a better place. 

‘They are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world.

Biden is set to award the medal to 19 people on Saturday – including Hillary Clinton

‘Lionel Messi is the most decorated player in the history of professional soccer. He supports healthcare and education programs for children around the world through the Leo Messi Foundation and serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.’ 

Other athletes to have received the Medal of Freedom in the past includes Tiger Woods, Simone Biles, Megan Rapinoe and Katie Ledecky. 

Messi played nearly all of his career in Europe, enjoying his best years with Spanish team Barcelona after joining their academy as a boy.

He left the team in 2021 with Barcelona’s financial issues meaning they couldn’t afford to pay him. 

He played in Paris for two years before joining Miami in a $60million-a-year deal that is part-funded by Apple and Major League Soccer. 

His time in the United States has so far delivered varying degrees of success. His early weeks sparked huge excitement with stars such Kim Kardashian, Tom Brady, Leonardo DiCaprio and Prince Harry watching him play across the United States.

Messi also led Miami to their first ever trophy – the Leagues Cup – with a penalty victory over Nashville in Tennessee in first few months. 

But injuries disrupted his second year, his first full season with Miami, and failure to win the MLS Cup was a major surprise given how heavily Miami and Messi – alongside teammates such as Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets – were favored.