WASHINGTON – Lionel Messi, widely considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time, and NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson will be among the 19 honorees receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Saturday at the White House.
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President Joe Biden will present the nation’s highest civilian honor to individuals recognized for making “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors,” the White House wrote in a statement.
Messi, 37, has rewritten soccer’s record books with eight Ballon d’Or awards, eight FIFA Best Player honors, and 45 team trophies, including a FIFA World Cup, four UEFA Champions League titles, and two Copa Americas.
His debut season with Inter Miami in MLS was historic, earning him the league’s 2024 MVP title after tallying 20 goals and 16 assists in just 19 matches. He also propelled his team to a record-setting 74-point campaign.
Johnson, 65, a five-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, is celebrated as one of basketball’s greatest point guards. He was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996 and selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.
Other award recipients include civil rights icons such as the late Fannie Lou Hamer and prominent political leaders such as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and billionaire Democratic fundraiser George Soros and actor Michael J. Fox.
Both Messi and Johnson join an elite group of recipients whose work has transcended their fields, shaping lives and inspiring millions around the world.