Messi wins Spain's 'Nobel Prize' award, says many talented people fall through the cracks

Soccer superstar Lionel Messi of Inter Miami became the first individual soccer player to win the sports category of Spain's Princess of Asturias Award as a sole recipient.

In an interview with Spain's EFE news agency, Messi was asked what kind of player he hoped to be remembered as. "I want to be remembered as a great sportsman who always fought for his goals and dreams," he said, according to Yonhap.

The interview was conducted a day before the 2026 Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony, scheduled for early Saturday at the Campoamor Theater in Oviedo, Spain.

The Princess of Asturias Award is often called Spain's Nobel Prize. One of the most prestigious honors in Europe, it is presented annually to individuals and institutions that have made outstanding achievements in eight fields, including the arts, literature, science and sports.

Messi is the first individual soccer player to win the award's sports category as a sole recipient.

Earlier, in the soccer category, the Brazilian national team (2002) and the Spanish national team (2010) had received the award as groups. As individual players, Iker Casillas and Xavi Hernandez of Spain shared the prize in 2012.

Messi arrived in Oviedo, in Spain's Asturias region, by private jet to attend the ceremony.

At a special event held ahead of the ceremony, he also spent time with about 5,000 local children.

"The most important thing is knowing how to lose," Messi told the gathering. "You may or may not reach your goals, but you have to be able to know that you gave everything you had and feel satisfied with that."

In the EFE interview, he said, "There are many people with great talent who fall by the wayside due to a lack of opportunity." He added that he was honored to have his name added to the list of Princess of Asturias Award sports winners alongside legendary figures.

Messi hung up his national team jersey after more than 22 years, playing his final match for Argentina in a friendly against Benin at Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on Oct. 7 Korean Standard Time.

He capped his farewell appearance with a goal and two assists.

Argentina won the match 3-0.

Messi made his international debut in August 2005 but announced his retirement from the national team after Argentina lost the 2016 Copa America final. He reversed that decision after fans — including Argentina's president — urged him to stay.

He then announced his retirement a second time after finishing as runner-up at this year's North and Central America World Cup, before playing his farewell match in front of fans.

Messi finished his international career with 126 goals in 208 appearances. His trophy haul includes one World Cup title (2022), two Copa America titles (2021 and 2024) and one Finalissima title (2022).

Immediately after the final whistle, players from both Argentina and Benin embraced Messi to thank him for his dedication. In the sky above, a drone show traced the outline of his No. 10 jersey and his face to mark his retirement from international football.