Lionel Messi Arrives in Spain Ahead of 2026 Princess of Asturias Awards

Lionel Messi has arrived in Oviedo, Spain, ahead of the 2026 Princess of Asturias Awards, where he will pick up the Sports Award for his career and his lasting impact on football.

The Embassy of Spain in the United Kingdom shared the news in a post on X. "Lionel Messi has arrived in Oviedo ahead of tomorrow's 2026 Princess of Asturias Awards," it said.

"He will receive the Sports Award for his outstanding career and lasting impact on football, inspiring millions with his talent and dedication."

🚨🚨 LIONEL MESSI 🇦🇷 EST ARRIVÉ À OVIEDO, EN ESPAGNE 🇪🇸. 🐐 La légende argentine dînera ce soir avec le ROI FELIPE VI et la REINE LETIZIA d’Espagne. Il recevra demain le prestigieux Prix Princesse des Asturies des Sports 2026, qui récompense son immense carrière. 🎥 @lanuevaespana https://t.co/Ge9XuveZua

— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) October 22, 2026

The award honours a career in which Messi has won a record eight Ballon d'Or trophies, plus a long list of league titles and Champions League crowns during his time at Barcelona. He also won league titles at Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.

With Argentina, he captained the team to victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. That came on top of his Copa America wins and other honours with the national side.

Messi has played outside Europe since leaving PSG in 2023, but he is still getting plenty of attention for his form in the United States. 

He is also on the shortlist for this year's Ballon d'Or, which shows he is still counted among the game's best. The ceremony takes place in London on Monday, October 26.

The Princess of Asturias recognition adds to a career built on individual records, team success and an influence on football that has lasted across generations.