[Saba Sports News] According to Sport, Argentine international Lionel Messi has received the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports. Known as the “Spanish Nobel Prize”, the honor is presented by the Princess of Asturias Foundation, with 27 nominees from 12 countries competing for this year’s accolade.
Since its inception in 1987, the sports category of the award has been bestowed upon sporting icons including Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Michael Schumacher, Xavi Hernández and Spain’s national football team. The jury praised Messi’s extraordinary sporting career as well as his social and humanitarian influence both on and off the pitch. The panel recognized his outstanding, long-standing charity efforts to improve access to education and healthcare for vulnerable children via the Leo Messi Foundation and his role as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
FC Barcelona released an official statement to congratulate Messi, describing the award as well-deserved recognition of the legendary legacy he forged during his time in Blaugrana colours and underlining that his illustrious spell at Camp Nou occupies a pivotal place in the club’s history.
In my view, this award honours not only Messi’s professional football career but also his enduring contributions to society. His humble deeds away from the spotlight consolidate his public image: despite scaling the very pinnacle of world football, he remains grounded and down-to-earth.