Lionel Messi returned to Spain to receive the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports in Oviedo, at a ceremony that VnExpress said was held on 23 October 2026 in the presence of the King and Queen of Spain. The day before, in an interview with Spanish news agency EFE, the 39-year-old said he hoped to be remembered as an athlete who always fought to the end for his goals and dreams, winning some and losing some but never ceasing to chase every title.

Two days in Oviedo

Messi's schedule, as compiled by KBVN+ from VnExpress:

  • 22 October, 10:30 Madrid time: Messi and his wife Antonela Roccuzzo landed in Oviedo on a flight from Miami. It was his first trip back to Spain since Argentina's camp in Alicante and a secret visit to Camp Nou in November 2025.
  • 22 October, after checking in at the Reconquista hotel: A short interview with EFE.
  • 22 October, at Oviedo's indoor sports arena: An event with around 5,400 children closing the Princess of Asturias Foundation's annual Toma la palabra programme. The free tickets were gone in 13 minutes. Former player Santi Cazorla and journalist Chema Garcia joined him on stage.
  • 23 October: The award ceremony.

At the event, 1,400 pupils representing 40 schools had been asked to propose 10 new rules for sport. They wrote nine and left the tenth to Messi, whose answer was simple: enjoy it, because that is the most important thing.

Why the award stands out

The Princess of Asturias Awards were created in 1980 and first presented in 1981, honouring people and organisations for work in fields from science and humanitarian causes to literature, the arts and sport. Football had previously been recognised in the sports category only through Brazil's men's team in 2002, Spain's men's team in 2010 and Xavi and Iker Casillas jointly in 2012. According to VnExpress, Messi is the first individual footballer to win it alone.

The jury also cited his sustained charitable work to give the most disadvantaged children access to education and healthcare, as well as his exemplary conduct on the pitch, perseverance and humility. Messi told EFE the award had meant a great deal to his late father, who insisted he find a few days in his busy schedule to collect it in person.

From Qatar 2022 to the 2026 final

Speaking to EFE, Messi said the 2022 World Cup title in Qatar holds a special place and that his goals in the final against France were the most important of his career because of their meaning, timing and the scale of the match.

Bongda24h reported that, during the same visit to Oviedo, Messi said he had made peace with Argentina's defeat by Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. Winning in football is very difficult and only one team can win in the end, he said, adding that the same had happened against Germany in the 2014 final. According to Bongda24h, Messi has now retired from the Argentina national team after more than 20 years, with the 2022 World Cup and two Copa America titles as the high points, having earlier lost three major finals in three years starting with the 2014 World Cup final.

A message for the next generation

Much of the Oviedo event was about losing well rather than winning. Messi admitted he used to be very shy, told the children not to let anger linger after a defeat but to think about the next ball, and warned that excessive pressure from adults, including parents, can do young players real harm. VnExpress, citing El Pais, described the evening as a happy night for the 5,400 children. As Messi told EFE, the award means far more than anything a player does on the pitch.