FORT LAUDERDALE — Inter Miami CF captain Leo Messi has been awarded the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, becoming the first individual footballer in history to receive one of Spain’s most prestigious international honors.
The jury recognized Messi “in addition to his dazzling talent, his exceptional sporting career and his remarkable and sustained charitable work to promote access to education and healthcare for the most disadvantaged children.” The Princess of Asturias Foundation, which presents the award annually, honors distinguished individuals and institutions in fields such as the Arts, Literature, Social Sciences, Scientific and Technical Research, International Cooperation, Concord, Communication and Humanities, as well as Sports.
The jury’s statement also emphasized that “Leo Messi, the player who has won the most titles in the history of football, has also earned the respect and admiration of everyone for his exemplary behaviour on the field and for his consistency, humility and commitment to the team game.”
Since joining Inter Miami, the World Cup champion with Argentina has anchored some of the South Florida club’s landmark achievements: the 2023 Leagues Cup — the club’s first official title — the 2024 Supporters’ Shield, the 2025 MLS Cup and a historic appearance in the FIFA Club World Cup. Beyond the trophy case, Messi has played a fundamental role in the growth and international profile of soccer in North America, helping inspire and bring the sport closer to new generations of players and fans through youth football development initiatives.
Previous recipients in the Sports category include Rafael Nadal, Michael Schumacher, Serena Williams and Eliud Kipchoge. In other categories, the honor has gone to figures such as Nelson Mandela, Jane Goodall, Martin Scorsese, J.K. Rowling and Bob Dylan.
The Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony is held annually in Oviedo, Spain, where Messi is expected to receive the honor later this year.