[REVISION HISTORY]

Lionel Messi receives Princess of Asturias Award

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What changed

2026-10-23 15:45 UTC → 2026-10-23 17:24 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Lionel Messi has become the first individual athlete to win the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports. While previous football honors associated with the award were granted to national teams or shared by multiple players, Messi is the first to receive the distinction as a sole winner. The award recognizes Messi’s “dazzling talent,” “exceptional sporting career,” and his “formidable and continued solidarity work to promote access to education and healthcare for disadvantaged children.” His career achievements cited include eight Ballon d'Or titles and his 2022 World Cup victory. During his visit to Oviedo, Spain, Messi engaged with fans and participated in an educational event at the Palacio de los Deportes, speaking to approximately 1,500 students about respect and fair play. In emotional reflections, Messi dedicated the recognition to the memory of his late father, Jorge, noting that his father was deeply excited about this specific recognition. Ahead of the 2026 ceremony, the Inter Miami CF player reflected on his professional journey, describing FC Barcelona as the “club of his life.” He expressed deep affection for the club and the city of Barcelona, where his three children were born, noting that the team won everything while maintaining a sense of enjoyment. He also described winning the 2022 World Cup with Argentina as the “culmination of a dream.” The formal ceremony ~~was scheduled to take~~ took place at the Teatro ~~Campoamor,~~ Campoamor. Prior to the main event, Messi and his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, attended an audience at the Hotel de la Reconquista. This audience was notable as it marked the first time Princess Leonor of Spain presided over by the ~~Spanish Royal Family, including~~ awardees' audience alone, without the presence of the King ~~Felipe VI~~ and ~~Queen Letizia.~~ Queen. Messi is the first Argentine to receive this individual honor, joining other 2026 laureates such as Patti Smith, Julian Barnes, and Studio Ghibli.

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