Messi to Get Presidential Medal of Freedom from Biden

Argentina's Lionel Messi was involved in both goals on Thursday night, setting up the second for Lautaro Martinez in the 88th minute and extending his tournament assists record to 18. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images
Argentina's Lionel Messi was involved in both goals on Thursday night, setting up the second for Lautaro Martinez in the 88th minute and extending his tournament assists record to 18. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images
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Messi to Get Presidential Medal of Freedom from Biden

Argentina's Lionel Messi was involved in both goals on Thursday night, setting up the second for Lautaro Martinez in the 88th minute and extending his tournament assists record to 18. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images
Argentina's Lionel Messi was involved in both goals on Thursday night, setting up the second for Lautaro Martinez in the 88th minute and extending his tournament assists record to 18. Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images

Joe Biden on Saturday will award the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 19 honorees, bestowing the highest civilian honor in the United States to entertainers, sports stars, politicians and diplomats.

Among those to receive honors from the outgoing US president are basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson and soccer superstar Lionel Messi, AFP reported.

The honorees "are great leaders because they are good people who have made extraordinary contributions to their country and the world," the White House said in a statement,



Premier League Opens Office in Mumbai 

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates by taking a selfie after winning the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur and clinching the Premier League title at Anfield in Liverpool, England, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates by taking a selfie after winning the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur and clinching the Premier League title at Anfield in Liverpool, England, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP)
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Premier League Opens Office in Mumbai 

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates by taking a selfie after winning the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur and clinching the Premier League title at Anfield in Liverpool, England, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP)
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates by taking a selfie after winning the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur and clinching the Premier League title at Anfield in Liverpool, England, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP)

The English Premier League is expanding its global footprint with the opening of a new office in Mumbai, strengthening its commitment to one of football's most passionate fan bases.

The Mumbai hub will build on nearly two decades of Premier League engagement in India, where the League has run grassroots initiatives since 2007 through its Premier Skills program, supporting thousands of coaches and young people in 18 states.

At elite level, the Premier League has collaborated with the Indian Super League since 2014, sharing expertise in governance and development. Their joint Next Gen Cup youth tournament will feature its sixth edition in Mumbai next May, featuring ISL youth teams competing against Premier League Under-19 sides.

"We and our clubs have a fantastic and knowledgeable fanbase in India, and we know football continues to grow in popularity," Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said.

"Opening this office marks a significant milestone for the Premier League. It will allow us to operate more effectively locally as we build on our existing work to establish more ways to strengthen our relationship with fans."

The Premier League established offices in Singapore (2019), New York (2023) and Beijing (2024) as part of its global strategy of strengthening local partnerships and combating content piracy.