Lionel Messi arrived in Oviedo on Thursday to receive the Princess of Asturias award for sport, and hundreds of fans lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the Argentina icon.
The Inter Miami forward will receive the award on Friday at a ceremony presided over by the King and Queen of Spain.
Accompanied by his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, Messi, 39, posed for the media and signed autographs for the many fans who gathered outside his hotel.
“Very excited” to be honored
The former Barcelona captain told EFE he is “very excited” and very grateful to receive the recognition. He added that he knows the prestige the award carries after living in Spain for many years.
Messi stressed the values that his parents and FC Barcelona, the club of his “life,” instilled in him. He spent 20 years at Barça after arriving from Argentina as a teenager.
“When you’re there [Barcelona], it’s not just about playing football,” he said. “Rather, football is the result of many things you have to do, many responsibilities you have before you go to training or a match.”
Messi admitted that his father, Jorge, who passed away on Aug. 8, was “very happy” for him to receive an award that goes “beyond what one does on the pitch.” He said his father is “surely enjoying it, too.”
Honored for his play and his charity work
The 2022 World Cup winner and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was chosen not only for his outstanding career on the pitch but also for his humanitarian work.
“In addition to his dazzling talent, the Jury highlighted not only his dazzling talent, but also his exceptional sporting career and his remarkable and ongoing charitable work to promote access to education and healthcare for the most disadvantaged children,” the Princess of Asturias foundation said.
“Leo Messi, the player who has won the most titles in the history of football, has also earned everyone’s respect and admiration for his exemplary behaviour on the pitch and for his consistency, humility and commitment to team play.”
Messi recently retired from international duty after scoring 126 goals in 208 appearances for Argentina. In addition to his World Cup success, he won two Copa América titles.