Messi wins 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports

(FILES) Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his second goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Argentina and Venezuela at the Mas Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires on September 4, 2025. Whether for their successes or their defeats, five Latin American athletes attracted the spotlight in 2025. (Photo by Luis ROBAYO / AFP)

Argentinian footballer, Lionel Messi, has won the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports. The award was announced on Wednesday by the jury responsible for conferring the award. A statement released by the convener, Princess of Asturias Foundation, said Messi was selected in recognition of a career defined by sustained excellence, sporting achievement and global impact. Born on June 24, 1987 in Rosario, Argentina, Messi rose from Newell’s Old Boys youth system before joining FC Barcelona’s La Masia academy at the age of 13. He made his first-team debut in 2004 and went on to establish himself as one of the most decorated footballers in history. During more than 15 years at Barcelona, he won 35 trophies, including four UEFA Champions League titles, 10 La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, three FIFA Club World Cups, three UEFA Super Cups and eight Spanish Super Cups. The Argentine later joined Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer, where he currently plays. On the international stage, he has won two Copa América titles and captained Argentina to victory at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Messi is widely regarded as one of the most successful footballers of all time, with 47 career titles and multiple individual honours. He has won the Ballon d’Or eight times, The Best FIFA Men’s Player award on three occasions, and the European Golden Boot six times. Related News Iran World Cup squad to reach Mexico Sunday World Cup absentees meet in Warsaw Rangers Int’l hold NPFL trophy parade in Enugu He also holds the Guinness World Record for most goals scored in a calendar year, with 91 goals in 2012, and is a two-time Laureus World Sportsman of the Year (2020 and 2023). The Foundation highlighted his role as a global sporting figure who overcame early health challenges linked to a growth condition in childhood and became a symbol of consistency, humility and team commitment. It also noted his philanthropic work through the Leo Messi Foundation and his role as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. The Princess of Asturias Foundation stated that the award recognises “careers which, via the promotion, fostering and advancement of sport and soc