The October 23 ceremony honoured Messi’s football career and work helping disadvantaged children access health and education, alongside presentations to author Julian Barnes, astronaut Christina Koch and musician Patti Smith.
Lionel Messi received the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports in Oviedo, Spain, on Friday, October 23, recognising his football career and work supporting disadvantaged children’s access to health and education, Al Jazeera reported.
The Argentinian forward, 39, had been named the winner in June. Friday’s ceremony was the presentation of that honour, rather than a new selection. The jury had praised his social work and described him as “the most successful footballer of all time”.
Messi collected a formal parchment from Princess Leonor, the heir to the Spanish throne, after whom the awards are named. His career achievements include eight Ballon d’Or titles, a World Cup and dozens of club trophies.
Founded in 1981, the annual Princess of Asturias Awards recognise efforts to improve human coexistence, solidarity and global cooperation across arts, sciences and sport. The awards carry prize money of 50,000 euros.
British author Julian Barnes, US astronaut Christina Koch and musician Patti Smith also received their prizes at Friday’s ceremony in Oviedo, the capital of Asturias in northern Spain.
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