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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Messi awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom</li><li>Inter Miami man snubs White House ceremony</li><li>Argentine slammed for not meeting Biden</li></ul><p><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</p><table><tbody><tr></tr></tbody></table>

'Find a way to be in DC!' - Lionel Messi slammed for Joe Biden snub as ex-USMNT star Alexi Lalas questions 'strange' decision to award Inter Miami captain Presidential Medal of Freedom

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<p>The Inter Miami captain was awarded America's highest civilian honour on Saturday and was invited to meet the outgoing president of the United States in Washington DC. However, the 37-year-old <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-snubs-joe-biden-inter-miami-refuses-attend-white-house-ceremony-receive-presidential-medal-of-freedom-denzel-washington-bono-hillary-clinton/blt0b7eedc6a146cd1b" target="_blank">did not attend the ceremony</a> - something that has drawn the ire of ex-United States men's national team star Alexi Lalas. He questioned the "strange" decision to award the Argentine the accolade in the first place, but said Messi should have "found a way" to attend the event.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Lalas said in response to a post asking if Messi's decision to "skip" the ceremony was "wrong" on <a href="https://x.com/AlexiLalas/status/1875979512997114297" target="_blank"><em>X</em></a>: "Yes. It was ridiculous and strange to award it to Messi. But if you're going to accept the honour, then find a way to be in DC."</p><p></p><p></p>

WHAT ALEXI LALAS SAID

<p>Messi was one of the few recipients to skip the event, with it later emerging that the 2022 World Cup winner did not show up due to a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/lionel-messi-snubs-joe-biden-inter-miami-refuses-attend-white-house-ceremony-receive-presidential-medal-of-freedom-denzel-washington-bono-hillary-clinton/blt0b7eedc6a146cd1b#cs6a4d878f2bddb8aa" target="_blank">"scheduling error".</a> Reports claim <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14250317/Lionel-Messi-Joe-Biden-White-House-Presidential-Medal-Freedom.html" target="_blank">nobody attended to accept the award on his behalf</a> and the announcer skipped Messi's name entirely when reading out the 2025 medal recipients. This may not have gone down well with Biden's entourage.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Messi is currently enjoying his off-season break but is likely to feature in Miami's fast-approaching pre-season games in the coming weeks.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

'Find a way to be in DC!' - Lionel Messi slammed for Joe Biden snub as ex-USMNT star Alexi Lalas questions 'strange' decision to award Inter Miami captain Presidential Medal of Freedom | Goal.com

Lionel Messi has been slammed for snubbing the chance to go to the White House to receive his Presidential Medal of Freedom from Joe Biden.

&apos;Find a way to be in DC!&apos; - Lionel Messi slammed for Joe Biden snub as ex-USMNT star Alexi Lalas questions &apos;strange&apos; decision to award Inter Miami captain Presidential Medal of Freedom