Messi receives Princess of Asturias Sports Award in Oviedo

Lionel Messi arrived in Oviedo on Thursday afternoon and stayed at the Hotel de la Reconquista. Crowds had waited for hours outside the hotel hoping for an autograph or a photo. Messi appeared with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo, greeted fans, signed several autographs, and returned inside after about ten minutes.

On Friday at 18:30, the award ceremony took place at the Teatro Campoamor. Princess Leonor presented the prize to Messi. The jury cited his dazzling talent, exceptional sporting career, and continued solidarity work promoting access to education and health care for disadvantaged children.

“He turned the extraordinary into routine, interpreting the game and deciding the most effective action in tenths of a second, and respecting the collective essence above ego.”

Princess Leonor praised Messi's unrepeatable trajectory and said he turned the extraordinary into routine. She quoted a former Sporting de Gijón player who described him as interpreting the game and deciding the most effective action in tenths of a second while respecting collective essence above ego.

Messi did not give a speech during the ceremony. His public intervention remained concentrated on receiving the award from the heir to the Crown.

The award adds to Messi's extraordinary record of 48 collective titles. These include 35 with Barcelona, seven with the Argentina national team including the 2022 World Cup, and four with Inter Miami. He was born in Rosario on 24 June 1987.

Before the ceremony, Messi told EFE he felt very excited, very happy, and very grateful. He said the recognition goes beyond what one does on the pitch. After the event, he attended an official dinner with the Spanish royal family and other laureates.