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Argentine football star Lionel Messi became the first footballer to individually win Spain's prestigious Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, receiving the 2026 honor at a ceremony in the northern Spanish city of Oviedo on Friday.
The 39-year-old Inter Miami forward accepted the award from Princess Leonor at the Campoamor Theatre, with Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia attending the ceremony.
Announced on June 3, the award recognized Messi's football career alongside his charitable contributions and commitment to values, including humility, teamwork, and fair play.
The jury also highlighted his efforts to expand access to education and healthcare for disadvantaged children, emphasizing his dedication to collective success both on and off the field.
Although Messi is the first footballer to receive the award individually, the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports has previously recognized other prominent figures and teams in football.
Former Barcelona teammate Xavi Hernandez and Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas jointly received the distinction in 2012, while Brazil's national football team was honored in 2002 after securing its fifth World Cup title.
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