Messi makes history, first footballer to win the Princess Award solo
Leo Messi received the 2026 Princess of Asturias Sports Award in a ceremony held this Friday at the Hotel de la Reconquista in Oviedo, becoming the first footballer to win the prize individually and alone.
Upon arrival, the Argentine star signed autographs and greeted the fans who were waiting for him. The reception was attended by local authorities and the press covering the event. The atmosphere was filled with applause and photographs as Messi thanked the recognition.
History of the Princess Award
The Princess of Asturias Sports Award was created in 1987 and, since then, has honored legends from various disciplines. The first recipient was the British athlete Sebastian Coe, followed by figures such as Severiano Ballesteros, Carl Lewis, Martina Navratilova and Steffi Graf.
Over the years, the jury has awarded athletes such as Michael Schumacher, Rafa Nadal (2008), Serena Williams (2025) and Paralympic swimmer Teresa Perales, as well as teams like New Zealand's All Blacks (2017) and the Refugee Olympic Team and Foundation (2022). The list also includes cyclist Miguel Induráin, jumper Sergey Bubka, driver Carlos Sainz and badminton champion Carolina Marín (2024).
Football and its precedents
Despite football's huge impact, only three occasions had brought the sport onto the list of awardees: the Brazilian national team in 2002 after its fifth World Cup in South Korea and Japan, the Spanish national team in 2010 after Euro 2008, and in 2012 Iker Casillas and Xavi Hernández were jointly recognized.
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These precedents showed a very limited presence of football, which until now had been shared between national teams and Spanish players, without any solo individual award.
Messi's career and recognition
Messi arrives at the award with eight Ballon d'Ors, four Champions League titles and the conquest of the 2022 Qatar World Cup with Argentina. He has shone at FC Barcelona, Paris Saint‑Germain and Inter Miami, and said: “With Barça we won everything… and how!”
The jury also highlighted his charitable commitment to promote education and healthcare for disadvantaged children, an aspect that has marked his career off the pitch.
Jury and nomination
The decision was announced on June 3 after deliberation by a jury chaired by Paralympic swimmer Teresa Perales, with the participation of Santi Nolla, director and CEO of Mundo Deportivo. Among the 27 candidates from 12 nationalities, the Argentine was chosen as the sole representative of football alone.
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The selection places Messi among the great international laureates and expands football's representation within the prestigious award.
With this recognition, Messi opens a new chapter in the history of the Princess Award, consolidating his place among the legends of world sport and marking a milestone for football.