International football
Messi receives Princess of Asturias Award for Sports in Oviedo, with no speech and a quick flight to Miami
The Argentine received the diploma from Princess Leonor at the Campoamor Theater, at the 46th edition of the Spanish awards.
By ANN Newsroom · Newsroom
October 23, 2026, 21:30 · Updated 18:45 · 1 min read
In brief
- The jury praised Messi as the most decorated player in football history and for his charity work for children.
- He gave no speech and left by private jet for the U.S. to rejoin Inter Miami.
- This year's laureates include Julian Barnes, Patti Smith, Studio Ghibli and Christina Koch.
Lionel Messi received the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports in Oviedo on Friday, at the 46th edition of the awards, held at the Campoamor Theater and presided over by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. The diploma was handed to him by the heir to the throne, Princess Leonor.
The jury had praised the Argentine as the player who has won the most trophies in football history, for his exceptional career and for his charity work on education and health for disadvantaged children, also citing his “perseverance, humility and commitment to the collective game.”
No speech, just smiles
According to Argentine media, Messi did not give a speech. He waved to the audience, shook the princess's hand and followed the reading of the citation from the side of the stage, while his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, was in the hall. Earlier in the day he met children and teenagers at a stadium, where more than 6,000 people applauded him. Right after the ceremony he left by private jet for the U.S., where Inter Miami face the New York Red Bulls on Saturday.
Also honored at the ceremony were writer Julian Barnes (Literature), Patti Smith (Arts), Studio Ghibli (Communication and Humanities), historian Timothy Garton Ash (Social Sciences), astronaut Christina Koch (Concord) and the Svalbard Global Seed Vault (International Cooperation). Princess Leonor closed her speech with a line by Paul Valéry, quoted by a Studio Ghibli character: “The wind rises, we must try to live!”
