Lionel Messi has received glowing tributes from former club Barcelona and current side Inter Miami after being presented with the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports in recognition of his remarkable football career and charitable contributions beyond the pitch.
The Argentine superstar received the prestigious honour on Friday, October 23, at the Campoamor Theatre in Oviedo, Spain, where Princess Leonor presented the award during a ceremony attended by members of the Spanish royal family.
The recognition adds another distinction to Messi’s extraordinary career, which has been defined by record-breaking achievements, major international trophies and sustained excellence at the highest level of football.
Barcelona, where Messi spent more than two decades developing into one of the club’s most celebrated players, congratulated their former captain and highlighted the lasting impact of his achievements.
The Spanish club praised Messi’s exceptional talent, commitment to sport and charitable activities, describing the award as deserved recognition for a player whose influence extends beyond football.
Barcelona also reflected on the close relationship between the Argentine and the club, emphasising that his achievements remain an important part of its history.
Messi joined Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy at the age of 13 after moving from Argentina. He made his senior debut in 2004 and went on to establish himself as the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, winning 35 trophies during his time with the first team.
His achievements included four UEFA Champions League titles, 10 La Liga championships and seven Copa del Rey trophies. He also won eight Ballon d’Or awards during his career, further cementing his standing among football’s most decorated players.
Despite leaving Barcelona in 2021 after the club’s financial difficulties prevented a contract renewal, Messi has maintained a strong connection with the Spanish side and its supporters.
Inter Miami, meanwhile, celebrated their captain’s latest achievement, congratulating him on receiving one of Spain’s most prestigious international honours.
Since joining the Major League Soccer club in 2023, Messi has played a significant role in raising Inter Miami’s international profile while helping the team secure important honours.
His arrival attracted worldwide attention to the club and contributed to growing interest in American football, with supporters following his performances and the team’s progress more closely.
The Princess of Asturias Foundation selected Messi for the Sports award in June 2026. Its jury recognised his outstanding sporting career, extraordinary talent and continued charitable efforts to improve access to education and healthcare for disadvantaged children.
The jury also highlighted his humility, consistency and commitment to collective success, qualities it considered central to his influence on the sport.
Messi’s charitable work includes activities through the Leo Messi Foundation, which supports initiatives aimed at improving children’s access to healthcare and education. He has also served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2010.
The award therefore recognises more than his achievements in competitive football, acknowledging the wider social contribution associated with his career.
Messi’s journey has included major triumphs at club and international level. After years of disappointment in major international finals with Argentina, he helped the national team win the 2021 Copa América before leading the country to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Argentina subsequently retained the Copa América title in 2024, adding another major international achievement to his collection.
His club career has also taken him beyond Barcelona. Following his departure from Spain, he played for Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Inter Miami, where he has continued to attract attention through his performances and leadership.
The Asturias honour also carried personal significance for the forward. Ahead of the ceremony, Messi spoke about his late father, Jorge Messi, explaining that his father had been particularly excited about the recognition and had encouraged him to travel to Spain to receive it despite his demanding football schedule.
Messi said the award represented something beyond his achievements on the pitch, reflecting the broader significance of his career and contribution to sport.
The distinction also adds Messi to a distinguished list of recipients of the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports. Previous honourees include tennis champions Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams, Formula One legend Michael Schumacher and distance-running star Eliud Kipchoge.
Football had previously been recognised through the award, including the Brazilian national team in 2002 and Spanish footballers Iker Casillas and Xavi Hernández in 2012. Messi’s 2026 honour, however, marks the first time an individual footballer has received the distinction on his own.
For Barcelona, the recognition reinforces the enduring legacy of a player who helped define one of the most successful periods in the club’s history. For Inter Miami, it provides another opportunity to celebrate a captain whose influence reaches beyond the pitch.
For Messi, the award represents another milestone in a career already filled with historic achievements, recognising both his extraordinary sporting accomplishments and his continued commitment to helping others.
