Barcelona have congratulated their former captain Lionel Messi after he received the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, praising his remarkable career and his lasting connection with the club.
The Spanish giants shared a message on Friday shortly after Messi received the award at the Campoamor Theatre in Oviedo, Spain.
Barcelona praised the Argentina star for his success in football and his contributions beyond the pitch.
“Congratulations to Lionel Messi on receiving the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sport, a well-deserved recognition of your exceptional talent, which has left an everlasting mark on and off the pitch, and made you a role model in the world of football thanks to your excellence, your commitment to sport and your solidarity,” the club said in a statement.
Barcelona also recalled their long history with Messi and said their connection would always remain special.
“A career full of success, during which Barcelona was an integral part of your life and your story, a close bond that forms part of the club’s legacy, and your connection to it will remain a source of lasting pride,” the statement added.
Messi spent more than two decades at Barcelona after joining the club as a youngster. He rose through the youth ranks and became one of the greatest players in the club’s history.
During his time at Barcelona, Messi won 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League trophies and seven Copa del Rey titles.
He also became the club’s all time leading scorer with 672 goals in 778 official matches.
The Argentine left Barcelona in 2021 and joined Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Inter Miami in 2023.
Despite his departure, Messi remains one of the most loved figures in Barcelona’s history.
The 39-year-old became the first footballer to receive the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports individually on Friday.
The award recognised his achievements in football, his humility and his charitable work to help disadvantaged children.
