This evening, Inter Miami CF captain Leo Messi was presented with the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, in recognition of his extraordinary sporting career and his impact beyond the field. One of the most prestigious international honors, the award recognizes individuals and institutions whose achievements make a meaningful impact on society. Messi becomes the first individual footballer in history to receive the distinction.
The ceremony took place at the Campoamor Theatre in Oviedo, Spain, where Messi received the award from the Princess of Asturias, Leonor, during a ceremony presided over by the Spanish Royal Family.
“For being the player who has won the most titles in the history of football; for his exceptional sporting career, dazzling talent, and continued charitable work to promote access to education and healthcare for the most disadvantaged children; and for earning everyone’s respect and admiration through his consistency, humility, and commitment to the collective game,” announced the president of the Princess of Asturias Foundation Ana I. Fernández Álvarez.
Presented annually by the Princess of Asturias Foundation, the awards recognize outstanding contributions across a range of fields. In selecting Messi, the jury highlighted both his exceptional sporting career and his sustained charitable efforts to promote access to education and healthcare for disadvantaged children.
“I’m very happy and excited to receive this award, which goes beyond sports. I know the significance of this award because I lived in Spain for more than 20 years, and I know what this recognition means,” said Messi hours prior to receiving the award.
Messi, a World Cup champion with Argentina and the most decorated footballer in history, has contributed to some of Inter Miami CF’s greatest achievements, including winning the 2026 Michelob ULTRA Campeones Cup, 2025 MLS Cup, the 2024 Supporters’ Shield, and the 2023 Leagues Cup–the Club’s first official title–as well as a historic appearance in the FIFA Club World Cup. Since joining Inter Miami, Leo has also played a fundamental role in the growth and international profile of soccer in North America. Beyond his impact on the field, he has been actively involved in youth football development initiatives, helping inspire and bring the sport closer to new generations of players and fans.
About the Princess of Asturias Awards
The Princess of Asturias Awards annually recognize distinguished individuals and institutions in fields such as the Arts, Literature, Social Sciences, Scientific and Technical Research, International Cooperation, Concord, Communication and Humanities, as well as Sports. Over the past several decades, the awards have honored some of the most influential figures in the world.
Previous recipients in the Sports category include legends such as Rafael Nadal, Michael Schumacher, Serena Williams, and Eliud Kipchoge. In other categories, the honor has previously been awarded to figures such as Nelson Mandela, Jane Goodall, Martin Scorsese, J.K. Rowling, and Bob Dylan, as well as international organizations committed to social and humanitarian progress.
