Washington, 4 January 2025 (dpa/MIA) - US President Joe Biden is set to honour 19 celebrities with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Saturday, shortly before the end of his term in office.

The award - the highest civilian honour in the United States - is to be awarded to football star Lionel Messi, basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson, fashion designer Ralph Lauren, actors Michael J Fox and Denzel Washington, and rock musician Bono from the band U2, among others, according to a statement by the White House.

The prestigious award is presented to "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 statement said.

This year's recipients also include conservationist Jane Goodall, philanthropist George Soros, fashion icon Anna Wintour and former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton - one of Biden's fellow party members.

Former US president Donald Trump is set to succeed Biden on January 20.

Photo: EPA