Lionel Messi receives top Spanish award in recognition of social work
Messi collected the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports in Oviedo, honoring his career and his work for disadvantaged children's access to health and education.
Lionel Messi received Spain's most prestigious sports award on Friday, the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, in recognition of his glittering career and his work for disadvantaged children's access to health and education.
The Argentinian forward, 39, was named winner of the award in June, with the jury hailing him as the most successful footballer of all time and praising his social work.
Dozens of fans wearing Argentina shirts cheered and chanted Messi's name as he arrived to the sound of bagpipes and drums at the ceremony in Oviedo, capital of the northern Spanish region of Asturias. He collected a formal roll of parchment from Princess Leonor, the heiress to the Spanish throne, after whom the awards are named, who lauded his unique career.
One of the greatest footballers of all time, Messi has won eight Ballon d'Or titles, a World Cup and dozens of trophies at club level. He spent 21 years at Barcelona, where he played in a side that dominated Spain and Europe under Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique. After leaving the Catalan club in 2021, he spent two years at Paris Saint-Germain and now plays for Inter Miami in MLS.
Founded in 1981, the Princess of Asturias Awards are the most prestigious in the Spanish-speaking world and come with prize money of 50,000 euros ($56,000). Previous winners of the sports award include Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, Eliud Kipchoge and Lindsey Vonn.
Source: Al Jazeera English — TrendWire reports stories in its own words; facts should be confirmed against the original source.