Messi receives 2026 Princesa de Asturias sports award

Lionel Messi has received the 2026 Princesa de Asturias Award for Sport, and he says the trip to collect it was largely down to his father.

The Inter Miami forward and former Argentina captain spoke about the honour in comments shared by football journalist Fabrizio Romano on X on Friday.

Messi explained that fitting the ceremony into a crowded fixture list was not easy, but his father would not hear of him skipping it.

"My father was extremely excited about this award,"

he said, adding that his father pressed him to travel and spend the days needed to pick up the prize in person.

For Messi, the recognition carries weight beyond the trophies and records that have defined his career.

"This award goes beyond what you do on the pitch or what I've achieved throughout my career,"

he said. He added that his father was delighted by the news and that he was certain the older man was savouring the moment too.

Why it matters to Nigerian fans

Messi remains one of the most followed footballers in Nigeria, and his every honour tends to travel fast on social media and in viewing centres. The award is another line on a CV that already includes several Ballon d'Or titles, the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina and a long, trophy-laden spell at Barcelona before his move to the United States.

The Princesa de Asturias Awards recognise outstanding achievements in fields including sport, the arts, science and international cooperation.

His words about family are likely to resonate with many Nigerian readers, where parents often push children toward big opportunities even when the timing is hard.

What happens next

Messi returns to club duty with Inter Miami, where his schedule remains tight. The sources did not give details of his next fixture or any further comment from him on the award.