Football
Messi to meet Princess Leonor at 2026 Asturias Awards
Lionel Messi will attend the 2026 Princess of Asturias Awards in Oviedo, meeting the Spanish royal family and engaging with students.
The city of Oviedo is preparing for the 2026 Princess of Asturias Awards, where Argentine footballer Lionel Messi will be honored for his exceptional career and achievements. The event schedule, released by the Princess of Asturias Foundation, confirms that Messi will participate in several accompanying activities leading up to the main ceremony.
Schedule for student engagement
On Thursday, October 22, at 5:30 p.m. local time, Messi will meet with the educational community at the Palacio de los Deportes in Oviedo. This session targets children and youth, specifically students from schools involved in the "El juego del 10" activity within the cultural program "Toma la palabra." General public registration for this encounter opened on Sunday, October 18, at 10 a.m. via the Foundation’s website.
Royal attendance at gala
The awards ceremony is set for Friday, October 23, 2026, at the Campoamor Theatre in Oviedo. King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor, and Infanta Sofía are scheduled to attend. The presence of Princess Leonor, the heir to the Spanish throne, alongside Messi has drawn particular attention to the proceedings.
A social media post highlighted the significance of the event for the region, noting that Asturias would host the Spanish monarchs and their daughters. The author expressed pride in hosting what they described as the best event in Spain, emphasizing the local impact of welcoming figures like Messi.
Significance of the honor
Selecting Messi for the award recognizes his distinct imprint on club and national team levels, establishing him as one of the most prominent names in the sport's history. The occasion also serves to highlight the role of sports in fostering communication between different cultures and generations.
Followers anticipate Messi’s appearance in Oviedo during a week filled with cultural events and royal celebrations. His participation marks another notable stop in the journey of one of the world’s most influential and famous football stars.
