Why is Chelsea's season suddenly falling apart?!

Culture & Clobber Axis: Jude's new look, gold Zidane Preds & more

Welcome to Amad Diallo's world 

Nunez CAN score goals! Huge late drama as Liverpool march on

Madrid's biggest problem? They've still not replaced Kroos

Editors' Picks

Endrick dedicates goals to team-mate that 'never praises me'

'Who does he think he is?' - Keane slams 'rubbish' Stewart

Zlatan offers brutal response to Ronaldo’s Ligue 1 criticism

PSG complete €70m Kvaratskhelia signing as Napoli eye Rashford

'League makes it possible' - Big call for CR7 in 1000-goal bid

Where did Lewandowski go? Barca's attack misfires at Getafe

Unforgivable! Odegaard flops as Gunners suffer crushing title blow

Neymar hits back at Rivaldo's savage World Cup claim

<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

Club Friendlies

Universitario de Deportes

Inter Miami CF

<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

Next Match