Lionel Messi has received Spain’s top sports award. He was given the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports on Friday. The ceremony took place in Oviedo, the capital of Spain’s Asturias region. The award recognises his incredible football career and his charity work for children’s health and education.
Messi was named the winner in June. The jury called him the most successful footballer of all time. They also praised his social work through his foundation. On the day of the ceremony, dozens of fans wearing Argentina shirts cheered and chanted his name. He arrived at the sound of bagpipes and drums.
Princess Leonor presented the award to Messi. She is the heir to the Spanish throne, and the awards are named after her. She praised his unique career. She said he made extraordinary things look routine. She noted how he reads the game and chooses the best option in a fraction of a second. She also said he always puts the team above his own ego.
Messi has won eight Ballon d’Or awards. He has won a World Cup and many club trophies. He spent 21 years at Barcelona, where he played in teams that dominated Spain and Europe. After leaving Barcelona in 2021, he played for Paris Saint-Germain for two years. He now plays for Inter Miami in MLS. Messi retired from international football earlier this year after Argentina lost the World Cup final to Spain.
Messi also spoke at an event with children in Oviedo on Thursday. He said the most important thing is to know how to lose and how to win. He called that attitude fundamental in football.
The Princess of Asturias Awards were founded in 1981. They are the most prestigious awards in the Spanish-speaking world. The prize money is 50,000 euros. The awards cover arts, sciences, and sports. They honour efforts to improve human coexistence, solidarity, and global cooperation. Previous winners of the sports award include Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Eliud Kipchoge, and Lindsey Vonn. Other winners this year included British author Julian Barnes, US astronaut Christina Koch, and punk star Patti Smith.
Inter Miami Congratulate Lionel Messi on Princess of Asturias Award as Argentine Remembers Late Father
Inter Miami have congratulated Lionel Messi after he received the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports. The club posted a message on X. It read, “Congratulations, captain, on receiving the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports. Your talent makes history. Your values leave a mark that goes far beyond soccer.”
Messi received the award from Princess Leonor at the Teatro Campoamor in Oviedo. He was greeted with a standing ovation. The jury honoured him as the most decorated player in football history. They also praised his talent, humility, and charity work for children’s education and health care. Messi did not give a speech at the ceremony. He became the third footballer to win the award, after Iker Casillas and Xavi Hernandez in 2012.
Princess Leonor said Messi “turned the extraordinary into routine” and always put the team above his own ego.
Messi spoke to the news agency EFE after the ceremony. He remembered his late father, Jorge Messi. He said his father was extremely excited about the award. Messi explained that his match schedule made the trip difficult. But his father insisted he travel to Oviedo to receive the award. Messi said the award goes beyond what he achieved on the pitch. He said his father was very happy about the recognition and is surely enjoying it too.
Messi spent 36 hours in Oviedo. He skipped the post-ceremony cocktail and flew straight back to the United States. Inter Miami play the New York Red Bulls on October 24. After that, Messi will turn his attention to the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on October 26. He is among the nominees.
FAQs
Q. Which award did Lionel Messi receive in Spain?
A. Messi received the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports in Oviedo.
Q. Who presented the award to Lionel Messi?
A. Princess Leonor, heir to the Spanish throne, presented the award to Messi.
Q. How many Ballon d’Or awards has Messi won?
A. Messi has won eight Ballon d’Or awards.
Q. Which clubs has Lionel Messi played for?
A. Messi has played for Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and Inter Miami.
Q. Why did Messi receive the Princess of Asturias Award?
A. Messi was recognised for his football career and charity work supporting children’s health and education.
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