Soccer legend, Lionel Messi was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by United States President Joe Biden on Saturday and made history in the process, with recipients of the highest civilian honour convening at the White House for the ceremony.

Messi who has had an illustrious career now plies his trade in the United States for Major League Soccer's Inter Miami.

The Argentine World Cup winner and eight times Ballon d'Or winner who has played in several leagues became the first Argentine to receive the honour and the first male soccer player.

He also goes down in history as the first Argentine to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Soccer legend Lionel Messi awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by United States President Joe Biden

USA women's soccer star Megan Rapinoe was the first soccer player to be honoured with the medal in 2022.

<h3>Why Messi missed Presidential Medal of Freedom Award ceremony</h3>

Through his representatives, Messi explained his absence at the awards ceremony, stating that he had prior commitments in a statement distributed by Major League Soccer's Inter Miami.

Leo, through the club, sent a letter to the White House saying that he is deeply honored and that it is a profound privilege to receive this recognition but that due to scheduling conflicts and prior commitments he was going to be unable to attend.

<blockquote>The White House informed FIFA, who informed the club at the end of December that Leo was going to be awarded with this recognition. He appreciated the gesture and noted that he hopes to have the opportunity to meet in the near future.</blockquote>

<h3>Messi's exemplary contributions &amp; charity initiatives</h3>

According to the White House, the prestigious award is given to individuals who have made &quot;exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values or security of the United States, world peace or other significant societal, public or private endeavors.&quot;

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honour in the United States.

Messi made the cut and joined the exclusive group with the White House hailing his exploits in sports and support for healthcare and education programs through his Leo Messi Foundation and as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

<blockquote>(Messi is) the most decorated player in the history of professional soccer. He supports healthcare and education programs for children around the world through the Leo Messi Foundation and serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.</blockquote>

Recipients of the award presented by President Joe Biden in one of his final days in office include former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, chef Jose Andres, actor Michael J. Fox and conservationist Jane Goodall.

Tim Gill, an LGBT activist; David Rubenstein, a philanthropist and co-founder of The Carlyle Group; and George Stevens Jr., a writer and director who founded the American Film Institute also received the award.

U.S. President Joe Biden presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Actor Denzel Washington

Others feted with the award on Saturday include humanitarian and U2 singer Bono, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, "Science Guy" Bill Nye, actor Denzel Washington, basketball star Earvin "Magic" Johnson and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

Why Messi received the Presidential Medal of Freedom which is the highest civilian honour in the United States.

Presidential Medal of Freedom: History made by Messi, why he was honoured & skipping ceremony

Dennis Milimo

With the Champions League finally back and most league seasons completed, Europe’s best are once again turning their attention towards winning the most coveted trophy in club football.&nbsp;

In what is quite a confusing setup though, there is still the small matter of a handful of last-16 games to conclude which were halted due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

You may remember Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund falling out of the competition alongside holders Liverpool at the Last-16 stage, but there are a host of sides still looking to secure their place in the next round including Chelsea, Manchester City and Barcelona, but who are the favourites at this very tenuous stage?&nbsp;

As things stand, despite still having a very difficult last-16 match to come, Manchester City are the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/bookmaking-gambling">bookmakers</a> favourites to finally end their Champions League duck, with the side fancied at 10/3 with some bookies.&nbsp;

This leaning towards the English giants is somewhat puzzling when you throw the likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Juventus into the fold, with City always seeming to engage their deer in headlights mode when they are nearing the latter-stages of the competition. With Pep Guardiola at the helm and managing the in-form Kevin De Bruyne though, who would bet against City finally winning the trophy and giving David Silva the swan song he so desperately deserves.&nbsp;

Bayern and Barcelona meanwhile are two of the most experienced teams in the competition and simply know how to win. Admittedly, Barcelona may be a side that are more of an outsider than they are used to being, and rightly so. A disappointing league campaign saw them miss out on the title by five points to Real Madrid, and while they once again smouldered up front by scoring 86 goals with Lionel Messi shining, they conceded 38 times, which is one goal a game, as their woes at the back continued. This is likely a large reason as to why they have drifted out to 11/1 with some bookmakers.&nbsp;

Bayern meanwhile arrive with a 3-0 aggregate lead over Chelsea ahead of their second leg and they look in imperious form. A resounding title win by 13 points over Borussia Dortmund along with 100 goals scored in 34 games (just short of three goals per game) along with Robert Lewandowski’s exceptional 34 league goals this season see the Germans at last seen as a real threat again at 10/3 with some bookies.&nbsp;

Away from our three favourites are the likes of French champions PSG (11/2), Atalanta (11/1) and Juventus (14/1). For PSG, it is a genuine case of nobody taking them seriously in the competition until they win it. Such is the domination they enjoy in their domestic league on a constant basis that they almost look half-cooked when they play in Europe.

Atalanta constitute a real David and Goliath story in pretty much every match they play but what will happen if they do beat PSG? Then it will become a case of pressure and expectation well and truly being put on them, and how will they deal with that?

Finally, Juventus. The Cristiano Ronaldo spearheaded side are never one to write off and despite being 1-0 down heading into the second-leg of their last-16 game against Lyon, we expect them to make it through. However, so many near-misses in the competition have most wondering if they can turn around what has been something of a curse in recent decades, with their last win coming back in the 1995/96 season.&nbsp;

With the return of the <a href="https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/">Champions League</a> sparking huge excitement and expectation, a number of the best <a href="https://www.bettingsites.ng/betting-sites">online sports betting sites</a> have clamoured to state our desire to watch and bet on the world’s biggest club competition, but with the eyes of the world back on the Champions League, will Manchester City prove the bookmakers right and lift the trophy?&nbsp;

Jordan Henderson lifts the Champions League trophy (Courtesy/Skysports)

UEFA Champions League&nbsp;is all set to&nbsp;resume&nbsp;from August 7

Who is the favourite of the Champions League?

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