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Lionel Messi (39, Inter Miami) has become the first football player in history to individually win the sports category of the "Princess of Asturias Award," Spain's most prestigious honor.
Ahead of the 2026 Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony scheduled to be held on the 24th (Korean time) at the Campoamor Theater in Oviedo, Spain, Messi gave an interview with local news agency EFE on the 23rd.
When asked "How do you want to be remembered as a player?" Messi stated, "I want to be remembered as a great sportsman who always fought for his goals and dreams."
The Princess of Asturias Award, known as "Spain's Nobel Prize," is awarded annually to individuals and organizations that have achieved outstanding accomplishments in eight fields. In football, the Brazil national team (2002) and the Spain national team (2010) received the award as groups, while Iker Casillas and Xavi Hernandez shared the award jointly in 2012. Messi is the first individual football player to receive this award solely.
The jury cited not only his brilliant playing career but also his overcoming of childhood growth hormone deficiency and his continuous charitable activities for underprivileged children as reasons for the selection. As a member of Barcelona, Messi achieved 10 league titles and four UEFA Champions League (UCL) titles. As an Argentine national team player, he recorded 125 goals in 207 international matches, leading the team to victory at the 2022 Qatar World Cup and two Copa America titles.
Messi, who arrived in Oviedo by private jet to attend the ceremony, met with over 5,000 children and adolescents at a preceding event, emphasizing the essence of sports.
Leaving the phrase "Above all, enjoy it" for the students, Messi advised, "I always want to win, but what is more important is the mindset of enjoying the game, and knowing how to lose is just as important as knowing how to win." He further urged, "You may achieve your goals or you may not, but you must be able to find satisfaction in knowing that you have poured everything into it yourself."
Regarding his acceptance speech, Messi said, "It is an honor to have my name on the list alongside legendary figures such as Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, and Michael Schumacher," adding, "I am happy to receive a warm welcome in Spain, which I have not visited for a long time, and my late father would be greatly pleased."
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*This content was translated by AI.View Original
