Messi rose through Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy before making his first-team debut in 2004.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Barcelona have felicitated with their former captain, Lionel Messi, following his winning of the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports in Oviedo, Spain.
The La Liga giants congratulated the Argentine football icon on Friday in a post shared via the club’s official X page.
Messi received the award a few days before the announcement of the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner in London.
The 39-year-old football legend received the award from Princess Leonor at the Teatro Campoamor during a ceremony presided over by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, accompanied by his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo.
The jury, chaired by Paralympic swimmer Teresa Perales, selected Messi from 27 candidates representing 12 nationalities.
The panel recognised his “dazzling talent”, “exceptional sporting career”, and “formidable and ongoing charitable work” aimed at improving access to education and healthcare for disadvantaged children.
Reacting to the feat, Barcelona described the relationship between Messi and the Spanish outfit as an “inseparable bond”.
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While congratulating the Argentine, the club noted that the award was a deserved recognition of his achievements on and off the pitch.
“Congratulations to Leo Messi for the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports. A well-deserved recognition for your exceptional talent, which has left an indelible mark on and off the pitch,” the club wrote.
Barcelona further highlighted the Argentine’s historic connection with the club, stressing the important role the Catalan giants played throughout his career.
“A career full of successes during which FC Barcelona was a key part of your life and history. An inseparable bond that forms part of the club’s legacy and for which your involvement will always be a source of pride,” the statement added.
Messi rose through Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy before making his first-team debut in 2004.
He spent 17 seasons with the senior team, leaving in 2021 after establishing himself as the club’s greatest player.
During his time at Barcelona, the forward scored 672 goals in 778 official appearances and won 35 trophies, including four UEFA Champions League titles and 10 La Liga championships.
