By Habeeb Ibrahim
Argentine football star Lionel Messi has received the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sport in recognition of his achievements in football and his work supporting disadvantaged children’s access to healthcare and education.
Messi received the award from Spain’s Princess Leonor, heir to the Spanish throne, during a ceremony at the Campoamor Theatre in Oviedo on Friday.
The 39-year-old was named the winner in June, with the award’s jury praising his career and describing him as “the most successful footballer of all time”.
Presenting the award, Princess Leonor commended Messi’s ability to read the game, make quick decisions and prioritise teamwork.
“He turned the extraordinary into routine by reading the game and deciding on the most effective option in fractions of a second, while respecting the collective essence above ego,” she said.
Messi was welcomed by cheering fans wearing Argentina football shirts as he arrived at the ceremony in the northern Spanish city.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has enjoyed a career spanning more than two decades, winning numerous domestic and international trophies, including the FIFA World Cup with Argentina in 2022.
He spent 21 years at Barcelona, where he helped the club dominate Spanish and European football under coaches including Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique.
After leaving Barcelona in 2021, Messi spent two seasons with French club Paris Saint-Germain before joining Inter Miami in Major League Soccer, where he currently plays.
Beyond football, Messi has supported initiatives focused on children’s health and education through the Leo Messi Foundation.
Speaking at an event with children in Oviedo on Thursday, Messi stressed the importance of accepting both victory and defeat.
“The most important thing is to know how to lose and how to win,” he said, describing the attitude as fundamental to football.
Established in 1981, the Princess of Asturias Awards recognise achievements across several fields, including sports, arts and sciences. Each award carries a cash prize of 50,000 euros, approximately $56,000.
Previous recipients of the sports award include tennis players Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal, marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge and American skier Lindsey Vonn.
Other recipients honoured at Friday’s ceremony included British author Julian Barnes, American astronaut Christina Koch and musician Patti Smith.
