Freedom to Dream: Biden honors Lionel Messi with the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Inter Miami’s motto is “Libertad para sonar” — Freedom to Dream. No Heron has seen more dreams come true, and helped more dreams come true, than Lionel Messi. On Saturday, United States President Joe Biden recognized the Argentina and Inter Miami soccer legend’s contributions at a ceremony announcing 19 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The medal is presented to individuals who have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public or private endeavors,” according to a White House media release.

Besides his legendary accomplishments on the pitch, Messi actively supports healthcare and education programs for children around the world through the Leo Messi Foundation and is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. But the award announcement failed to mention Messi’s greatest contribution: the sheer joy he brings to many millions of soccer fans worldwide with his once-in-a-lifetime combination of football wizardry and everyman humility. The Medal of Honor is, more than anything, a tribute to Messi’s inspiring so many around the world to exercise their freedom to dream.