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Lionel Messi was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, by President Joe Biden on Saturday but did not attend the White House ceremony.

The Argentine World Cup winner and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner now plays in the United States for Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami.

Messi is the first Argentine to receive this honor and the first male footballer.

But while other honorees, including U2 singer and activist Bono, former basketball star Earvin “Magic” Johnson and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, attended the White House ceremony, Messi was absent.

Messi’s representatives said in a statement distributed by Inter Miami that Messi had been signed previously.

“The White House informed FIFA, which informed the club in late December that Leo would receive this award,” the statement said.

“Leo sent a letter to the White House through the club stating that he was deeply honored and privileged to receive this recognition, but was unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts and prior commitments.”

“He appreciated the gesture and emphasized that he hoped to have the opportunity to meet in the near future,” the statement continued.

According to the White House, the award is given to individuals who have made “exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values ​​or security of the United States, to world peace, or to other significant social, public or private endeavors.”

The White House statement said Messi received the award as the “most decorated player in the history of professional soccer.” He supports health and education programs for children around the world through the Leo Messi Foundation and serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.

Biden presented the medal to U.S. women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe in 2022, the first time a soccer player received the honor.