On Friday, Argentine star Lionel Messi received the Princess of Asturias Sports Award for 2026, in recognition of his extraordinary football career and his humanitarian contribution, especially his efforts to support the access of the most needy children to medical care and education.

The 39-year-old captain of the Argentina national team received the award during a ceremony held at the Campomor Theater in the city of Oviedo, the capital of the Asturias region in northern Spain, from Princess Leonor, the heir to the Spanish throne, in the presence of the Spanish King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, along with a series of prominent figures and more.

It is worth noting that the jury announced last June that Messi would receive the award, praising his extraordinary talent and busy sports career, as well as his ongoing charity work to increase opportunities for the most disadvantaged children to receive education and health.

With this honor, Messi became the first soccer player to receive the award individually, in new recognition of his place in the history of the game and the sporting and humanitarian values it embodies. Interact to get all new updates.