Messi awarded 'Spanish Nobel Prize'

Eight-time winner of the Golden Ball Lionel Messi became the winner of the Princess of Asturias Prize in sports for 2026. The award ceremony was held in Oviedo.

The Princess of Asturias Award is an international award awarded in Spain, which is awarded annually to outstanding people and organizations from around the world for achievements in science, culture, sports, humanitarian and other fields. The award is often called the “Spanish Nobel Prize”, as it was called by the famous British historian, specialist in the modern history of Spain Paul Preston.

In addition to the athletic achievements of the Argentine, his charitable activities through the Messi Foundation, as well as the role of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, were also noted.

Messi has previously spoken about how important the award is - especially for his late father Jorge, who passed away in August. “My father was incredibly pleased with this award. We knew it would not be easy to come because of my match schedule, but he was very insistent that we go – that I come here, spend these days here and receive the award.

This award is more than just an appreciation of what a person is doing on the pitch or what I have achieved in my entire professional career. My father was sincerely happy with this recognition, and therefore I am sure that now he is also happy with me.

Messi is an eight-time winner of the Golden Ball, the most titled footballer in history, world champion of 2022, four-time Champions League winner, ten-time champion of Spain. The 39-year-old is currently playing for Inter Miami in MLS.