Lionel Messi received the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports on Friday at a gala in Oviedo attended by the Spanish royal family.
The Inter Miami forward, accompanied by his wife Antonela Roccuzzo, was greeted by hundreds of supporters.
The ceremony took place at the Campoamor Theatre, where the King and Queen presided. Princess Leonor delivered the traditional speech, accompanied by a message from King Felipe VI. Earlier, Princess Leonor received Messi at the Covadonga Room of the Hotel de la Reconquista.
It was the first time the heir to the throne had led such a meeting with the recipients on her own, a gesture seen as a milestone in the tradition of the awards. Messi was honoured alongside winners in seven other categories this year.
The royals explained the honour in plain terms.
“For being the player who has won the most titles in the history of football, his exceptional sporting career and his dazzling talent.”
The jury also highlighted his conduct on the pitch and his charitable work to improve vulnerable children’s access to education and health. The award rewards careers that develop sport and embody effort, respect and humility, as well as social impact beyond titles.
Messi told EFE ahead of the ceremony that he was excited to receive the honour and acknowledged the prestige attached to it. The former Barcelona captain also reflected on what life at the club demanded beyond matches and training sessions.
“When you’re there, it’s not just about playing football. Rather, football is the result of many things you have to do, many responsibilities you have before you go to training or a match.”
Messi won the Champions League, LaLiga titles and the Copa del Rey during 17 seasons at Barcelona, and league titles in two years with Paris Saint Germain. He added the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the 2022 Finalissima with Argentina.
The honour follows a farewell earlier this month, when the 39 year old made his last Argentina appearance in a 3-0 win over Benin in Buenos Aires.
Argentina collected its ninth Princess of Asturias Award through Messi, across 46 editions since 1981, with the sports category added in 1987. The first Argentine honoured was philosopher Mario Bunge in 1982, with former president Raul Alfonsin honoured in 1989.
The winner receives a sculpture designed by Joan Miro, a diploma, a badge and 50,000 euros. Messi was named the 2026 sports recipient on June 3, and the award, created in 1987, is presented every October at the Campoamor Theatre.
Messi joined an eclectic 2026 list: singer Patti Smith for the Arts, Studio Ghibli for Communication and Humanities, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault for International Cooperation, and astronaut Christina Koch for Concord. Julian Barnes took Literature and Timothy Garton Ash Social Sciences.
FC Barcelona congratulated Messi on social media for an honour it called more than deserved, recalling the club’s pivotal role in his life and career. The club described the inseparable bond as a cornerstone of its heritage and a lasting source of pride for supporters.