Messi is due to attend the ceremony on 23 October at the Teatro Campoamor in Oviedo, where King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain will be present. The award marks another significant milestone in the career of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, whose influence extends well beyond football.
The Princess of Asturias Foundation announced Messi as the winner in the Sports category on 3 June, following a jury decision in Oviedo. He was selected from a field of 27 nominees. The jury’s assessment took account of his sustained excellence, achievements and humility, alongside his continuing efforts to improve access to education and healthcare for children in disadvantaged communities.
The recognition is particularly significant because Messi is set to become the first footballer to receive the award individually, according to the announcement. His selection reflects not only his standing as one of the greatest players of his generation but also the wider social impact of his work beyond the sporting arena.
Established in 1981, the Princess of Asturias Awards honour individuals and organisations whose achievements have made an outstanding contribution at an international level. Presented by the Princess of Asturias Foundation, the awards cover eight categories, including Sports, Scientific and Technical Research, Literature, the Arts, Social Sciences and International Cooperation.
Each recipient receives a sculpture designed by renowned Spanish artist Joan Miró, together with a certificate, an insignia and prize money of €50,000. Over the decades, the awards have gained international recognition for celebrating excellence across a broad range of disciplines.
Messi’s selection comes after a career filled with major honours and record-breaking performances. He spent much of his professional life at Barcelona, where his extraordinary technical ability, vision and goalscoring helped establish him as one of the defining players of modern football. He later joined Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Inter Miami in the United States.
His achievements with Argentina have further strengthened his legacy. After helping his country win the Copa América in 2021, Messi captained Argentina to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The triumph ended the nation’s long wait for another World Cup title and fulfilled one of the most important ambitions of his career.
Away from the pitch, Messi has also supported charitable initiatives through the Leo Messi Foundation. Its work focuses on areas including children’s health, education and welfare, reflecting his commitment to helping young people access opportunities that might otherwise be beyond their reach.
This humanitarian dimension was an important consideration in the jury’s decision. While sporting success remains central to the award, Messi’s recognition also highlights the contribution prominent athletes can make to society through charitable work and their ability to draw international attention to social causes.
The ceremony in Oviedo will bring together two defining aspects of Messi’s public life: his extraordinary achievements in football and his efforts to support vulnerable children. The honour adds another distinction to an already remarkable career, acknowledging a legacy built not only on trophies and individual accolades but also on contributions beyond the game.
For Messi, the Princess of Asturias Award represents a rare form of recognition that places sporting excellence alongside wider social responsibility. It also reinforces his position as a global sporting figure whose influence reaches far beyond the football pitch.
