Lionel Messi Receives 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, Pays Tribute to Late FatherArgentine football superstar Lionel Messi has received the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, earning a standing ovation at the ceremony in recognition of his achievements and contribution to football.During his acceptance remarks, Messi paid an emotional tribute to his late father, Jorge Messi, revealing how much the recognition had meant to him and his family.“My father was extremely excited about this award, so I feel proud and happy to receive it,” Messi said.
He explained that despite the challenges posed by his football schedule, his father had strongly encouraged the family to travel to Asturias to attend the ceremony and receive the award.Messi added that the honour represented more than his achievements on the pitch, stressing that his father had been particularly proud of the recognition.“Honestly, my father was very proud of this recognition, and that is why I am sure he is enjoying it too for me,” he said.The emotional moment highlighted the personal significance of the award for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, whose career has brought him numerous individual and team honours.#LionelMessi #PrincessOfAsturiasAwards #FootballNews
Joseph Akwagiobe is a media contributor from Cross River State, Nigeria, currently based in Abuja. He is a graduate of Microbiology and has earned several professional certifications across diverse fields, reflecting his commitment to continuous learning, professional growth, and excellence.