Lionel Messi awarded 2026 Princess of Asturias Award in Oviedo

Lionel Messi returned to Spain to accept the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports at a ceremony in Oviedo, where Princess Leonor personally presented the honour to the 39-year-old forward.

Organisers and the princess praised Messi's career and character

Organisers said they chose Messi “because he is the footballer with the most titles in the history of the game, for his outstanding sporting career and astonishing talent, for his long-standing humanitarian work to improve access to education and health care for children in the most difficult circumstances, as well as for the deserved respect and admiration he enjoys from everyone for his perseverance, modesty and dedication to sport”.

Princess Leonor spoke during the ceremony and framed Messi's achievements as moments that produce strong, shared emotions: “If in the history of human imperfection there have ever been moments in which we have experienced strong emotions in the same rhythm, then that has been thanks to sporting achievements. I do not know whether there exists another phenomenon capable of generating such a universal feeling – a single moment, the goal everyone waits for, which unites everything.

That is why today it is appropriate to turn our attention to Messi and his unique career. A former Sporting player described the Argentine footballer perfectly: ‘He turned the exceptional into routine, he reads the game and chooses the most effective move in tenths of a second, while placing the collective before his own ego’,” the princess said.

In an interview with EFE, Messi reflected on the personal meaning of the award and on his recently deceased father, Jorge: “My father was very excited about this award. We knew it would be difficult for me to come because of the match schedule, but he really insisted that I come, spend these days here and receive the award. This recognition is beyond what you do on the field or what I have achieved in my career. Honestly, he was very happy about this recognition and that is why I am convinced that he is enjoying it now,” the eight‑time Ballon d'Or winner said.

Shortly after the ceremony Messi headed to the local airport to catch a flight back to the United States; he is due to travel with Inter Miami for a league match against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday. FC Barcelona also posted a public congratulation, calling the award a richly deserved recognition of his impact on and off the pitch.

Photo: Lionel Mesi\/Instagram