Argentina captain and World Cup winner, Lionel Messi, has been awarded a major Spanish award as one of the recipients of the 2026 Princess of Asturias Sports Award.
One of Spain’s highest honours, it’s granted to individuals or institutions who contribute positively to sport and society.
The Argentine was chosen from 27 candidates from twelve countries, and the president of the committee, Teresa Perales, in her announcement, said that she respected Inter Miami’s star for his outstanding sports career as well as his leadership, humility and commitment to charity, saying that Messi helps improve education and access to healthcare for deprived children through his foundation.
Messi becomes the third footballer to individually claim a sports award and is just one of three, following Spain’s European Championship-winning stars Xavi Hernandez and Iker Casillas.
The latest award comes while Messi continues to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with his country, and adds to an illustrious career which sees him considered to be one of the greatest ever to have been featured in. Previous winners of this respected award include Martina Navratilova, Michael Schumacher, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams.
