Magic Johnson left emotional at Presidential Medal of Freedom award ceremony Lionel Messi skipped
‘Magic’ Johnson said he was ‘humbled and overwhelmed with emotion’ after being honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Saturday.
The NBA legend was one of 19 people given America’s highest civilian honor by outgoing President Joe Biden.
It is reserved for ‘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.’
Johnson and soccer legend Lionel Messi were the only sports stars on the list. But while Messi skipped the ceremony, Johnson headed to the White House to collect his award.
In comical pictures, the five-time NBA champion was seen crouching to allow Biden to wrap the medal round his neck.
Johnson then shared a handshake and a laugh with the outgoing president. He also posed for pictures with Hollywood legend Denzel Washington, who was honored on Saturday, too.
‘Magic’ Johnson was ‘overwhelmed with emotion’ after receiving the Medal of Freedom
The NBA legend was one of 19 people given America’s highest civilian honor on Saturday
Johnson was forced to crouch to allow President Biden to wrap the medal around his neck
After the ceremony, Johnson released a statement, detailing his pride at being given the award.
‘I am so humbled and overwhelmed with emotion right now. It is an absolute honor and privilege that President Joe Biden selected me for the esteemed Presidential Medal of Freedom,’ he wrote on Instagram.
‘Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that this kid from Lansing, MI would one day grow up and receive one of the highest civilian awards of the United States.
‘To be in the company of so many remarkable individuals is both humbling and inspiring.’
Johnson thanked Biden for the award, which celebrated his success with the Lakers – and his work away from the court through the ‘Magic Johnson Foundation’.
‘This award is not just mine; it belongs to everyone who has helped me become the person and businessman I am today,’ he continued, citing his family, ‘friends, mentors and colleagues’.
‘It also belongs to everyone who has dedicated themselves to the causes of freedom, justice, and equality.
‘I accept this honor with a deep sense of responsibility. It serves as a reminder of the work still ahead and the change we can all help bring about! I promise to keep working to make a positive difference for our country and the world.’
Lionel Messi, pictured last week with his wife Antonela, opted against attending the ceremony
Johnson poses in front of a portrait of Michelle Obama with his mother Christine
The NBA legend was honored alongside Hollywood icon Denzel Washington (right)
Other sports stars to have received the Medal of Freedom in recent years include Tiger Woods, Megan Rapinoe and Olympic heroes Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky.
Also among this year’s recipients were U2 frontman Bono, Hillary Clinton and Hollywood stars Michael J. Fox and Washington.
Messi was not at the White House, however, with his absence said be due to a ‘scheduling issue’.
It was also reported that nobody attended to accept the award on his behalf, and the announcer even skipped over Messi’s name when reading out the 2025 recipients of the medal.
On Friday, Messi had been pictured playing soccer with some kids at his home in Rosario, Argentina, after spending Christmas in Miami with his family.
The decision to hand him the honor had already sparked anger from the public earlier in the day, with one fan describing it as ‘bulls***’.
