Biden to award Messi, Hillary Clinton, others with Presidential Medal of Freedom

United States President Joe Biden is set to honour 19 renowned figures with the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom on Saturday, just days before his term ends.

The medal, recognised as the highest civilian honour in the United States, will be bestowed on a diverse group of individuals, including football icon Lionel Messi, basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson, actors Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, and Bono, the lead singer of U2, according to a statement from the White House.

The award 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,” the White House stated.

Among the honourees are conservationist Jane Goodall, philanthropist George Soros, fashion mogul Anna Wintour, and former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, a prominent member of Biden’s party.

The ceremony marks one of Biden’s final acts as president before he hands over the reins to Donald Trump, who is set to assume office on January 20.