Lionel Messi has received the 2026 Princesa de Asturias Award for Sport, one of Spain's most respected honours. The Argentina captain described the distinction as an honour that goes beyond his football achievements. For him, it reaches past the trophies and records piled up over two decades in the game. The Princess of Asturias awards are handed out each year in Oviedo to figures whose work resonates beyond their field. Messi earned the selection through a career that rewrote scoring records and carried Argentina to World Cup glory. Past sports honourees come from a wide range of disciplines and countries. The award now sits alongside his eight Ballon d'Or trophies and a stack of team titles.