Messi will receive the prestigious international honour at the Teatro Campoamor in Oviedo, in the presence of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain. The award marks another significant milestone in the career of one of football’s most celebrated players. He is the winner in the Sports category for 2026, having been selected from 27 nominees.
The jury officially announced Messi as the recipient on 3 June in Oviedo. Its decision reflected not only his remarkable consistency, achievements and humility throughout his career, but also his sustained efforts to improve access to education and healthcare for children in disadvantaged communities.
The recognition carries particular significance because Messi is set to become the first footballer to receive the Sports Award individually, according to the announcement. His selection highlights the wider influence of elite athletes, whose contributions can extend beyond competition and inspire people across national and cultural boundaries.
Established in 1981, the Princess of Asturias Awards honour individuals and organisations whose work has made an outstanding contribution at an international level. Presented by the Princess of Asturias Foundation, the awards cover eight categories, including Sports, Scientific and Technical Research, Literature, the Arts, Social Sciences and International Cooperation.
Each recipient receives a sculpture designed by renowned Spanish artist Joan Miró, alongside a certificate, an insignia and prize money of €50,000. Over the years, the awards have recognised achievements across a broad range of disciplines, establishing an international reputation for celebrating excellence and contributions to society.
For Messi, the honour also reflects a career shaped by sustained success at both club and international level. He spent much of his professional career at Barcelona, where his performances established him as one of the defining footballers of his generation. He later played for Paris Saint-Germain before joining Inter Miami in the United States.
His achievements with Argentina have been equally significant. After winning the Copa América in 2021, Messi captained his country to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The triumph fulfilled a long-held ambition and strengthened his standing among the greatest players in the history of the sport.
Away from football, Messi has supported charitable initiatives through the Leo Messi Foundation, which focuses on areas including children’s health, education and welfare. These efforts have helped broaden his public profile beyond his sporting achievements and form part of the contribution recognised by the award jury.
The foundation’s work reflects a wider role increasingly associated with prominent athletes: using their international visibility and resources to draw attention to social needs. In Messi’s case, support for vulnerable children has become an important part of his activities outside professional football.
His appearance at the ceremony in Oviedo on 23 October will bring together two dimensions of his public life: his extraordinary sporting career and his charitable engagement. The award recognises the impact he has made in football while acknowledging the importance of his efforts to support children in need.
For Messi, the Princess of Asturias Award represents a distinctive addition to an already remarkable collection of honours. It also underlines how sporting excellence can be recognised not only through trophies and records, but through contributions that reach beyond the playing field.
