In Spain to receive an award, Messi is overcome remembering his late father
Spain was once Lionel Messi's second home. The Argentine star, who spent two long decades at Barcelona, has countless memories there worth cherishing. He has now returned to Spain, not to play, but to receive a prestigious award.
Messi arrived in Spain from the United States yesterday with his family. Countless fans gathered in Oviedo to catch a glimpse of him. Back in Spain, he remembered his late father, who was the craftsman behind his rise as a footballer.
Jorge Messi, Lionel's father, died on August 8 this year at the age of 68 after a long illness. Jorge was not just a father; his role behind Messi becoming a star was the biggest of all.
Messi is receiving the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award in recognition of his extraordinary career achievements and his contribution through his charitable foundation to the education and healthcare of disadvantaged children. The award will be presented to him tonight, Bangladesh time.
In a career spanning more than 20 years, he has won countless titles including La Liga, the Champions League, the World Cup, the Leagues Cup and Ligue 1. He has taken leave from Inter Miami to attend this ceremony.
Speaking to news agency EFE in Oviedo, Messi said his father used to tell him to take the ball and try. Whether it went well or badly, he should not stop satisfied with it, because there is always another chance or a next step. Those words were the life lesson he received from his father.
Arriving in Oviedo to join the King and Queen at the ceremony, Messi spoke of his deep relationship with his father. He said that even before Jorge died on August 8, father and son had talked about the Princess of Asturias Award.
Messi said he is truly very happy. His father was very excited about this award. Although he knew it would be difficult to come here because of the match schedule, his father repeatedly insisted that he should come on these days and receive the award.
After losing his beloved father, Messi also posted an emotional message. Although he took the decision to retire from international football quickly after the World Cup final on July 19, he announced it on August 31 because of his father's death.
On the night before receiving the award, Messi became emotional while talking about his father. He said this recognition goes beyond what a person does on the field, or everything he has done in his entire professional career. His father was very happy, and Messi believes he is enjoying it now too. He said he used to talk with his father regularly.
The Argentine star also said he felt nostalgic on returning to Spain. He said they had the fortune of winning everything. They played, they won and they achieved a lot. The experience of daily training was also memorable, and the time was spent wonderfully.
Earlier, on October 7, Messi played his last match for Argentina. Against Benin at the Monumental, he provided two assists and scored one goal. He has played a record 208 matches in the Argentina shirt, holds the team's record of 126 goals, and has assisted 69 goals.
Tonight's award ceremony is therefore not just another trophy for Messi. His father's memory, the long Barcelona chapter and recognition of his foundation's work — together, this trip to Oviedo will remain one of the most emotional moments of his career.
