Lionel Messi seeks lasting legacy of perseverance over trophies
Lionel Messi, the Argentina legend, reflected on his extraordinary journey ahead of receiving the Princess of Asturias Award for Sport in Oviedo, Spain on 23 October 2026, offering a personal insight into what truly defines a successful career.
Decades of silverware and records
Messi has spent more than two decades building a legacy few could imagine, amassing eight Ballon d’Or awards, four Champions League titles with Barcelona and the 2022 World Cup with Argentina. He also added two Copa America titles to his résumé, completing a collection that includes major trophies, individual honours and numerous records.
Beyond trophies: the quality he values
In an interview with EFE in Oviedo, the Inter Miami forward said he hopes his reputation will reflect his determination to pursue ambitions, regardless of whether every attempt ended in success. “A great athlete who always fought to achieve his goals and dreams,” he said, adding that sometimes he succeeded, sometimes he didn’t, but he never stopped trying to win everything in front of him.
Messi explained that the award recognised not only his on‑field achievements but also his charitable work supporting education and healthcare for disadvantaged children, underscoring a quality that remained constant even when results did not go his way.
From heartbreak to historic triumphs
His international journey illustrates the perseverance he describes. Before lifting the Copa America in 2021, Messi endured painful final defeats, including Argentina’s loss to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final.
Those setbacks gave way to defining moments: Argentina won the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 Finalissima and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, fulfilling a lifelong ambition for the 39‑year‑old forward.
Messi stressed that “in football, winning is very difficult, and you have to appreciate the journey, because only one team can win,” highlighting the importance of accepting mistakes and learning from defeat.
By juxtaposing his trophy‑laden record with his insistence on persistence, Messi reveals a legacy that values effort as much as accolades, suggesting that what he hopes people remember is his relentless drive rather than the medals alone.