Lionel Messi has officially received the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, adding another major international honour to an extraordinary football career.
The Argentina and Inter Miami star was presented with the award on Friday, October 23, at the Campoamor Theatre in Oviedo, Spain, during a ceremony presided over by the Spanish royal family. Messi received the distinction from Princess Leonor, the Princess of Asturias.
Messi was originally announced as the winner in June, when the jury praised both his exceptional sporting career and his continued charitable work supporting access to education and healthcare for disadvantaged children.
Recognition Beyond Football
The Princess of Asturias Foundation said Messi was selected not only because of his achievements on the pitch but also because of his contribution away from football.
The jury highlighted his consistency, humility and commitment to collective play, while also pointing to his charitable activities through the Leo Messi Foundation.
The foundation's official citation described Messi as the player with the most titles in football history and emphasised his long-term sporting impact.
The award is particularly significant because the Princess of Asturias Awards recognise international contributions across sport, science, culture, social sciences, communication and other fields.
The Sports Award specifically recognises sporting careers that promote and advance sport while demonstrating social commitment.
Messi's Remarkable Career
Messi's career has included success at both club and international level.
During his 21-year spell with Barcelona, he became the club's most decorated player and helped the Catalan giants win numerous domestic and international trophies.
His honours include four UEFA Champions League titles, 10 La Liga championships, seven Copa del Rey trophies, three FIFA Club World Cups and three European Super Cups, according to the Princess of Asturias Foundation.
After leaving Barcelona in 2021, Messi spent two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain before joining Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
He also led Argentina to the 2022 FIFA World Cup title in Qatar, completing the major international achievement that had eluded him for much of his career.
Messi has won the Ballon d'Or eight times and has also received The Best FIFA Men's Player award three times. He holds the Guinness World Record for the most goals scored in a calendar year, with 91 goals in 2012.
First Individual Footballer to Receive the Sports Award
Inter Miami described Messi as the first individual footballer in history to receive the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports.
Previous recipients have included tennis legend Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, marathon star Eliud Kipchoge and Formula One champion Michael Schumacher.
The distinction therefore places Messi alongside athletes from several different sports whose careers have had a significant international impact.
Messi Speaks About the Honour
Before receiving the award, Messi said he was happy and excited by the recognition and acknowledged its significance after spending more than two decades in Spain.
The award ceremony also brought Messi back to a country that played a defining role in his development and career.
He moved from Argentina to Barcelona as a teenager and joined the club's La Masia academy, where he developed before making his first-team debut in 2004.
His journey from Rosario to Barcelona and eventually to the global stage has made him one of the most recognisable figures in world sport.
A Career Built on More Than Trophies
The Princess of Asturias jury also pointed to Messi's personal journey.
The Argentine faced a growth-related medical problem during childhood, but continued his development as a footballer after moving to Spain.
Beyond his football achievements, his charitable work has focused on helping disadvantaged children gain access to healthcare and education.
The Leo Messi Foundation has been involved in initiatives aimed at improving opportunities for children, while Messi has also served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2010.
A €50,000 Prize
The Princess of Asturias Award comes with a €50,000 cash prize, as well as a Joan Miró-designed sculpture, a diploma and an insignia.
The award is presented annually in Oviedo and is regarded as one of the most prestigious honours in the Spanish-speaking world.
For Messi, the recognition adds another distinction to a career that has already included World Cup glory, multiple Ballon d'Or awards and dozens of club trophies.
At 39, the Argentine continues his career with Inter Miami, where his influence extends beyond his performances on the pitch to the club's international profile and the wider growth of football in North America.
