Messi becomes first footballer to win the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports outright

Leo Messi has written his name into the history of the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports. The Argentine star, honored in the 46th edition, has become the first footballer to receive the recognition individually without sharing it, a milestone that arrives after nearly four decades of a roll of honor in which football had never played a dominant role.

• Messi is the first footballer to win the award outright in its history.
• Only three football precedents featured in the roll of honor: Brazil, Spain and the Casillas-Xavi duo.
• The jury highlighted his career, his talent and his commitment to helping underprivileged children.
• The Argentine has won eight Ballon d'Or awards, four Champions League titles and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The first footballer to win the Princess of Asturias Award outright

Since Sebastian Coe opened the roll of honor in 1987, the award has recognized some of the greatest legends in world sport. Severiano Ballesteros, Carl Lewis, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Fernando Alonso, Michael Schumacher and Rafa Nadal all appear on a list packed with Olympic champions and leading figures from individual disciplines. However, football's presence has historically been limited.

Until now, only three precedents had brought football into the award's history. Brazil's national team opened the path in 2002 after winning its fifth World Cup in South Korea and Japan. Spain was recognized in 2010 following its triumph at Euro 2008 and during a golden era that would culminate with the World Cup in South Africa. In 2012, Iker Casillas and Xavi Hernández shared the honor for their careers and their contribution to the national team's success.

What Messi's selection means for the Princess of Asturias roll of honor

Messi's individual distinction places him in a legendary list dominated by athletics, tennis and cycling figures, but in which football had never been strongly represented. His inclusion expands football's presence and opens a new chapter for the world's most followed sport within this recognition.

Why the jury decided to honor Leo Messi

The jury recognized Messi for his extraordinary career, his talent and his conduct on and off the pitch. It also highlighted his charitable commitment to improving access to education and healthcare for the most disadvantaged children.

With Barça we won everything... and in what style!

With eight Ballon d'Or awards, four Champions League titles and a World Cup won with Argentina in Qatar 2022, the forward has the sporting credentials that explain his global stature. His career at FC Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami and the Argentina national team has made him one of the most decorated footballers in history.

How the decision was announced and other recent winners

The decision was announced on June 3 after the deliberations of a jury chaired by Teresa Perales. The Argentine was selected from among 27 candidates representing 12 nationalities. With his inclusion, football gains prominence in a roll of honor that has recognized figures from a wide range of disciplines for nearly four decades.

In recent years, the award has honored athletes such as Paralympic swimmer Teresa Perales, driver Carlos Sainz and badminton champion Carolina Marín, who won in 2024. It has also recognized teams and institutions, including Spain's marathon team in 1997, the Tour de France in 2003, Spain's basketball national team in 2006, New Zealand's All Blacks in 2017 and the Refugee Olympic Team and Foundation in 2022.

Messi writes his own chapter in the award's history

Brazil, Spain, Casillas and Xavi had paved the way. Now Messi is writing his own chapter in the history of the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports. His selection continues the tradition of honoring exceptional careers and expands football's representation in a prize that, since its creation, has sought to recognize the great figures of world sport.