Inter Miami star Messi received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Joe Biden, which Alexi Lalas finds difficult to understand.
After Inter Miami star Lionel Messi was among 19 people to receive the Medal of Freedom from US President Joe Biden last Saturday, former USMNT defender Alexi Lalas criticized the decision on his 'State of the Union' podcast.
“The fact that Messi received the Medal of Freedom is ridiculous,” Lalas stated, partly because he had only been in the United States for a relatively short time (since July 2023): “He has been here for a year and a year. half?”
Lalas also objected to Messi's absence from the ceremony, saying: “It's strange, but when you get that honor you have to 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 champions themselves. “If he didn't want to be a part of this for whatever reason (political or personal), he could have said, 'No, this isn't going to happen,' and they could have avoided it. But it looks even worse because he wasn't there.”
Messi's impact on American football
Messi's impact on soccer in the United States was immediate upon his arrival in Florida in July 2023. The MLS reported a 5% increase in stadium attendance, and Messi was instrumental in winning Inter Miami's first-ever trophy, the Leagues Cup from 2023, and setting a record for most points in a season.
“The eyes of the world are now on Major League Soccer because the best player to ever play the sport is here and having success,” MLS commissioner Don Garber said shortly after Messi's introduction in Miami.
Messi has become the continent's football superstar and an ambassador for the league. His influence on player recruitment and the perception of the league is expected to lead to better players, tougher competition and more fans.
The US 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 good example. “I have been a fan of Messi for years, but I have never forced myself to play. But since the arrival of Messi, I have started playing the sport I love at club level,” he said.
Original article written by Luis Guillermo Vázquez, translated with the help of AI and edited by Roddy Cons.
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