Barcelona and Inter Miami have congratulated Lionel Messi after the Argentine football icon was presented with the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports.
Messi accepted the award during a ceremony held at the Campoamor Theatre in Oviedo, Spain, on Friday, October 23.
He became the first footballer to receive the honor as an individual.
In a Friday post on its X account, Barcelona commended its former captain for his outstanding talent and enduring influence both on and off the pitch.
The Spanish club said the award recognized Messi’s talent, dedication to sport, and charitable efforts, adding that his illustrious career had made a lasting contribution to the club’s history.
“Congratulations, Leo Messi, for the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports.
”Richly deserved recognition for your outstanding talent, which has left a lasting impact both on and off the pitch, making you a benchmark in world football due to your excellence, commitment to sport, and solidarity.
“A highly successful career during which FC Barcelona was a key part of your life and story. An inseparable bond that forms part of the Club’s legacy and for which your involvement will always be a source of pride,” the club said.
MLS club Inter Miami, where Messi currently plays, also celebrated their captain and his achievement in a message shared on X.
“Congratulations, captain, on receiving the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports. Your talent makes history. Your values leave a mark that goes far beyond soccer,” the club said.
The award jury praised Messi’s remarkable career, sporting accomplishments, humility, and charitable work supporting children’s access to education and healthcare.
Messi spent over 20 years at Barcelona, establishing himself as one of the club’s most decorated players before departing in 2021. He subsequently signed with Paris Saint-Germain and then moved to Inter Miami in 2023.
This latest honor adds to the 38-year-old’s extensive record of individual and team accomplishments, including eight Ballon d’Or awards and Argentina’s 2022 FIFA World Cup victory.
