Lionel Messi award slammed as “ridiculous” by ex-USMNT star
Inter Miami star Messi was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Joe Biden, which Alexi Lalas is having trouble understanding.
After Inter Miami star Lionel Messi was among the 19 individuals who received the Medal of Freedom last Saturday from U.S. President Joe Biden, former USMNT defender Alexi Lalas criticized the decision on his podcast, “State of the Union.”
“The fact that Messi received the Medal of Freedom is ridiculous,” Lalas stated, partly due to him having only been in the United States for a relatively short time (since July 2023): "He’s been here, what, a year and a half?"
Lalas also took issue with Messi’s absence from the ceremony, saying, “It’s strange, but if you’re given that honor, you should respect it, and Messi was the only one who didn’t attend the event.”
Furthermore, Lalas pointed out that Messi’s absence reflects poorly on Major League Soccer (MLS), Inter Miami, and the world champion himself. “If he didn’t want to be part of this for any reason (political or personal), he could have said, ‘No, this isn’t going to happen,’ and they could have avoided it. But it looks worse because he wasn’t there.”
Messi’s impact on U.S. Soccer
Messi’s impact on soccer in the United States was immediate following his arrival in Florida in July 2023. MLS reported a 5% increase in stadium attendance, and Messi was instrumental in Inter Miami winning their first-ever trophy, the 2023 Leagues Cup, and setting a record for the most points in a season.
“The eyes of the world are now on Major League Soccer because the best player to ever play this sport is here and succeeding,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber shortly after Messi’s introduction in Miami.
Messi has become the continent’s soccer superstar and an ambassador for the league. His influence on player recruitment and the league’s perception is expected to lead to better players, tougher competition, and more fans.
The U.S. Youth Soccer Association has also seen a 5% increase in team formations since Messi’s arrival. Aaron Wyler, a 2027 high school graduate, is a prime example. “I’ve been a Messi fan for years, but I never pushed myself to play. However, since Messi’s arrival, I’ve started playing the sport I love at club level,” he said.
Original article written by Luis Guillermo Vázquez, translated with the assistance of AI and edited by Roddy Cons.
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