Inter Miami CF and Argentina star Lionel Messi has been awarded the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, becoming the first individual football player to be given the honor by the committee.
“Hi, We are already here concentrated in Kansas City with the national team but today I woke up to the news [of the award] with lots and lots of messages congratulating me on the Princess of Asturias award,” Messi said in a video from Argentina’s training camp ahead of the start of the World Cup.
“The truth is that for me it is a great pride to be able to receive this recognition because of the importance it has and for the fact that it is recognized not only for what I do on the pitch but also off the pitch.
“I am very happy, and very grateful. I wanted to let you know and send a big hug to everyone. Thank you and see you soon.”
The Princess of Asturias Award recognizes individuals and institutions for notable achievements in fields such as Arts, Literature, Social Sciences, Scientific and Technical Research, International Cooperation, and Sports.
The jury, consisting of several members, including president of the foundation Teresa Perales, voted to award Messi with the accolade.
“In addition to his dazzling talent, his exceptional sporting career and his remarkable and sustained charitable work to promote access to education and healthcare for the most disadvantaged children,” the jury’s statement read. “Leo Messi, the player who has won the most titles in the history of football, has also earned the respect and admiration of everyone for his exemplary behaviour on the field and for his consistency, humility and commitment to the team game.”
Messi earns this award after becoming one of the most accomplished football players in the sport. He lifted the 2022 World Cup, consecutive 2021 and 2024 Copa America trophies and won the Olympic gold medal in Beijing while representing Argentina.
Among his many club wins, Messi recorded 10 La Liga titles and won four Champions League trophies with Barcelona and the 2025 MLS Cup, the 2024 Supporters’ Shield, and the 2023 Leagues Cup with Inter Miami.
Individually, Messi has won eight Ballon D’or titles, two consecutive MLS MVP awards and been named MVP of LaLiga nine times. Previous recipients of the Princess of Asturias Award for Sport include Rafael Nadal, Michael Schumacher, Serena Williams, and Eliud Kipchoge.
Xavi Hernandez and Iker Casillas also received the honor in 2012 when sharing that year’s award, while the entire Spanish national team won it in 2010.
Argentina begin World Cup play on June 16 against Algeria, before facing Austria and Jordan as part of their title defense.
