Lionel Messi Collects Princess of Asturias Award in Oviedo and Says Barcelona Gave Him 'So Many Incredible Moments'
Lionel Messi has returned to Spain to collect the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, using the trip to Oviedo to open up about his years at Barcelona and the depth of his attachment to the Catalan club.
The award recognises notable achievements across fields including Sports, Arts, Literature and Science, and is decided by a jury made up of several members. Messi was announced as the winner earlier this year and, in taking the prize, became the first individual footballer ever to be given the honor by the committee.
A dressing room full of legends
Speaking to EFE in Oviedo, the Barcelona great admitted he struggles to put his Camp Nou years into words, but pointed to the teammates who shared them with him as the heart of the experience.
"It was a privilege to share a dressing room with Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol and so many others. We were fortunate enough to win everything, and to do it the way we did: how much we enjoyed playing, winning and achieving great things. But above all, we enjoyed our day-to-day life, the training sessions; we had a wonderful time," he said.
Messi made clear that the passage of time has not dulled his feelings for the club or the city that shaped the bulk of his career.
"It is difficult to sum up in a few words. I experienced so many incredible moments and obviously hold a very, very special affection for both the city and the club," he added.
Why the jury chose Messi
The committee's citation went well beyond his record on the pitch, highlighting both his sporting career and his charitable work.
"In addition to his dazzling talent, his exceptional sporting career and his remarkable and sustained charitable work to promote access to education and healthcare for the most disadvantaged children," a statement read.
"Leo Messi, the player who has won the most titles in the history of football, has also earned the respect and admiration of everyone for his exemplary behaviour on the field and for his consistency, humility and commitment to the team game."
The Barcelona connection remains alive
The trip to Spain comes against the backdrop of continued speculation and planning around Messi's relationship with Barcelona. In September 2026, club president Joan Laporta confirmed that the club is drawing up plans for a special tribute to Messi at the Spotify Camp Nou, to be staged once the stadium's redevelopment is complete by the start of 2028, as reported at the time.
Messi, meanwhile, remains an active force at club level. A FotMob snapshot taken on 22 October 2026 listed him with 27 appearances, 25 goals and 12 assists for Inter Miami CF in the 2026 Major League Soccer season.
The Princess of Asturias Award is the latest addition to a career already defined by silverware, and Messi's own words in Oviedo suggested the honours matter less to him than the memories built alongside the players he grew up with in Barcelona colours.