Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi has been honoured in Spain with the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, making him the first footballer to receive the prestigious award as an individual.
Messi was selected for the honour in June this year. His former club, FC Barcelona, congratulated him on the achievement, praising his exceptional talent, performances on and off the pitch, commitment to football and social contributions.
Messi spent 21 years with Barcelona, winning numerous domestic and European trophies during his time at the club. After leaving in 2021, he joined Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, where he currently plays.
The Argentine star has won a record eight Ballon d’Or awards and captained Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory.
Established in 1981, the Princess of Asturias Awards are among the most prestigious honours in the Spanish-speaking world. The awards recognise outstanding contributions across a range of fields and include a prize of €50,000.