(FILES) Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his second goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifiers football match between Argentina and Venezuela at the Mas Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires on September 4, 2025. Whether for their successes or their defeats, five Latin American athletes attracted the spotlight in 2025. (Photo by Luis ROBAYO / AFP)
Argentinian footballer, Lionel Messi, has won the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports.
The award was announced on Wednesday by the jury responsible for conferring the award.
A statement released by the convener, Princess of Asturias Foundation, said Messi was selected in recognition of a career defined by sustained excellence, sporting achievement and global impact.
Born on June 24, 1987 in Rosario, Argentina, Messi rose from Newell’s Old Boys youth system before joining FC Barcelona’s La Masia academy at the age of 13.
