Inter Miami have approved Lionel Messi's trip to Spain for the 2026 Princess of Asturias sports award ceremony. VnExpress reported that coach Cristian Kily Gonzalez confirmed the plan on October 16 and still included Messi in preparations for the subsequent match.
The award was announced on June 3. The new development concerns club approval and the Oviedo itinerary, rather than a fresh award decision in October.
A ceremony close to an MLS fixture
The ceremony is scheduled for October 23 at the Campoamor Theatre with members of Spain's royal family attending. Inter Miami are due to visit New York Red Bulls the following day.
Gonzalez said the club supported an important occasion for Messi and his family. Keeping him in the team's plans does not confirm a starting place or playing time.
The foundation's programme, cited in the report, expects Messi in Oviedo on October 22 for a meeting with students and supporters. Attendance at the post-ceremony dinner remains unconfirmed.
Education alongside the award
The Toma la palabra programme includes El juego del 10, inspired by Messi's shirt number. Students are encouraged to design a football game with ten rules, try it for ten days and evaluate possible adjustments.
The activity promotes inclusion, respect and empathy rather than constituting an official match.
The annual Asturias awards cover eight fields. The jury highlighted Messi's sporting career and charitable work helping children access education and healthcare. His earlier comments about Spain and Catalunya explain the personal significance of the return, while the actual visit remains ahead.