Lionel Messi received Spain's Princess of Asturias Award for Sports on Friday, adding another honour to his collection after being presented with the prize in Oviedo. The award recognised his career and his work supporting disadvantaged children's access to health and education.
Messi was named winner of the award in June, with the jury hailing him as "the most successful footballer of all time" and pointing to his social work.
At the ceremony in Oviedo, the capital of Spain's northern Asturias region, Messi collected a formal roll of parchment from Princess Leonor, heir to the Spanish throne and the royal after whom the awards are named. Leonor praised his "unique career," saying, "He turned the extraordinary into routine by reading the game and deciding on the most effective option in fractions of a second, while respecting the collective essence above ego."
According to Spanish media reports cited a day before the ceremony, Messi had already arrived in Oviedo ahead of the event and was expected to attend an official dinner with King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia at the Hotel de la Reconquista.
Why the honour is significant
Founded in 1981, the Princess of Asturias Awards are considered the most prestigious in the Spanish-speaking world and carry prize money of 50,000 euros, around $56,000. They are handed out annually across the arts, sciences and sports in recognition of contributions to human coexistence, solidarity and global cooperation.
While footballers had been honoured before, Messi became the first individual footballer to receive the award. The Spanish national team won it in 2010 after lifting the World Cup in South Africa, and former Spain players Iker Casillas and Xavi Hernández shared the prize in 2012. Previous winners from other sports include Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Carolina Marín, Eliud Kipchoge, Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, and Pau and Marc Gasol.
Career and retirement from international football
Messi spent 21 years at Barcelona, where he played in a side that dominated Spain and Europe under Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique. He won eight Ballon d'Or titles, a World Cup and numerous trophies at club level before leaving Barcelona in 2021. He then spent two years at Paris Saint-Germain and currently plays for Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
Argentina's all-time top scorer with 126 goals, as well as its leading assist provider and most-capped player, Messi retired from international football earlier this month after Argentina lost the World Cup final to Spain in New Jersey. His final match in Argentina colours came against Benin in front of his home fans.
