Lionel Messi has been awarded the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, earning him the title of King of Football. On June 3, 2026, the FC Barcelona icon received this prestigious honor.
What happened?
The Catalan newspaper SPORT praised Messi, calling him the best footballer of all time, with a trophy haul of 47, including 35 with Barca, 5 with Argentina, 3 with Paris Saint-Germain, and 4 with Inter Miami.
Lionel Messi has individually won 8 Ballon d’Or awards and 6 Golden Boots as Europe's top scorer. His storied era at the Spotify Camp Nou ran from 2004 to his free transfer departure in 2021.
Why it matters for Lionel Messi
This month, Messi will help Argentina defend the World Cup crown they won in Qatar four years ago, in what could be his international football swansong. Despite turning 39 on June 24, Messi is tipped to continue playing, having signed a contract extension through 2028 with Inter Miami in October 2025.
Lionel Messi is just the third football player to receive the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports. His fellow La Masia graduate and former teammate Xavi Hernandez received the award in 2012, jointly with Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas.
What comes next?
As Argentina prepares to defend their World Cup title, Messi's experience and skill will be crucial in the team's success. With his contract extension with Inter Miami, Messi is set to continue playing football at a high level for years to come.
The award was more significant than usual at the time, arriving during an era when Jose Mourinho had tried to sow divisions among Barca and Real Madrid's Spanish stars. Recently, Iker Casillas insisted he holds no grudge against Mourinho, tweeting on X that he thinks Mourinho is a great professional, but he doesn't want him at Real Madrid.
Lionel Messi's heir to the number 10 shirt, Lamine Yamal, will face a different challenge, as Mourinho won't have to deal with Messi but instead with the young player. As the football world looks to the future, Messi's legacy continues to inspire and influence the sport.
With Madrid trophyless across the past two seasons, Mourinho is likely to be appointed its manager once more. He must try and dethrone a dominant Hansi Flick, who has won five out of six Spanish titles over that period. As the football season unfolds, fans will be watching to see how these teams and players perform, with Lionel Messi remaining a central figure in the sport.