Human Interest

Yes, you read that headline correctly. United States President Joe Biden will give the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, to Inter Miami star Lionel Messi on Saturday.

Messi is one of 19 people receiving the honor from Biden including basketball star Magic Johnson, Bill Nye the Science guy, actor Denzel Washington and Hillary Clinton.

Messi isn’t the first soccer player to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Biden bestowed the award to United States women’s national team star and human rights activist Megan Rapinoe in 2022.

Ronaldo had a lot to say about everything in the soccer world, especially on the outcome of the 2024 Ballon d’Or.

Cristiano Ronaldo has weighed in on the highly controversial 2024 Ballon d'Or debate, expressing his belief that it was unjust for Vinícius Jr. to miss out on the prestigious award. 

The Brazilian winger, who had an outstanding season with Real Madrid, was expected by many to be among the top contenders for the coveted honor. However, Manchester City and Spain’s Rodri ultimately claimed the trophy, sparking controversy in the soccer community.

Olympic gold medalist and United States women’s national team star Trinity Rodman has made the situation surrounding her father, Dennis Rodman, clear. The 22-year-old appeared on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast and went into detail about him being absent in her life.

Trinity shared that his party lifestyle made her childhood incredibly difficult with her having to live in a car at one point.

Six men including the brother of France international Paul Pogba were sentenced to prison terms of between three and eight years on Thursday after being convicted of extortion attempts targeting the footballer, French media reported.

Pogba brother extortion case

United States women’s national team and Portland Thorns defender Becky Sauerbrunn is hanging up her boots after 16 incredible years with the national team. The 39-year-old announced her retirement via social media on Tuesday.

Becky Sauerbrunn retirement

Saudi Arabia will host the men's soccer World Cup in 2034 while the 2030 edition will be held in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, with one-off matches in three South American countries, world soccer's governing body FIFA confirmed on Wednesday.

The decision was announced by FIFA President Gianni Infantino following a virtual extraordinary Congress. The 2030 and 2034 World Cups each had only a single bid and both were confirmed by acclamation.

The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday said it will vote against FIFA's awarding of hosting rights for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups by acclamation, adding that it had formally criticized the process in a letter to the world governing body.

Votes are due to be held at FIFA's virtual extraordinary Congress on Wednesday to approve the 2030 and 2034 World Cups, though each has only a single bid, which are both expected to be confirmed by acclamation.