Lionel Messi arrives in Oviedo for 2026 Princess of Asturias Award

Lionel Messi arrived in Oviedo on Thursday to a packed reception ahead of receiving the 2026 Princess of Asturias Sports Award at the Teatro Campoamor, drawing hundreds of supporters to the Hotel Reconquista and filling the Pabellón Municipal de Deportes with 5,000 cheering schoolchildren. Messi, accompanied by his wife Antonela Roccuzzo, greeted crowds who gathered with banners and Argentine flags, braving steady crowds and traditional Asturian bagpipe music before a packed schedule of public appearances across the city.

The Reception at the Hotel Reconquista

Excitement across Asturias began building early Thursday morning outside the Hotel Reconquista, where the couple chose to stay. Crowds of supporters—many traveling from distant provinces carrying FC Barcelona shirts and Albiceleste national team colors—chanted his name throughout the morning hours. When Messi and Roccuzzo stepped out onto a balcony to wave at the gathering, the public responded with sustained applause. Down below, the athlete spent time signing footballs and jerseys for fans who had waited hours in the northern Spanish air.

Felicidad enorme por estar aquí, hace mucho que no estaba por España. Gracias por el cariño, Messi said later in the day, expressing his gratitude to the gathered public during his afternoon events.

Meeting Five Thousand Children at the Municipal Sports Pavilion

Later in the day, the Pabellón Municipal de Deportes hosted 5,000 young people and educators for a special event organized by the Princesa de Asturias Foundation under its educational initiative Toma la palabra. Tickets for the gathering had vanished in just 13 minutes after drawing more than 16,000 total requests from regional schools. Freestyle football performer Obregón entertained the stands with ball tricks while families awaited the arrival of the guest of honor, accompanied by the sounds of the song ‘La Morocha’ echoing through the arena.

On stage, Messi answered questions from eight children and a young coach about his career origins and his lifelong dedication to the sport. Siempre quise jugar al fútbol, la pelota siempre fue mi pasión. Siempre quería ganar y disfrutarlo porque es lo que me gustó y lo que quise hacer siempre, he explained to the young audience. He urged the children to focus on enjoyment rather than carrying heavy expectations imposed by adults. Uno tiene que hacer lo que le gusta. Hay muchos chicos cuyos padres electrolytes les ponen una presión enorme y uno tiene que disfrutar lo que hace, he noted.

Reflecting on Defeat and the Next Play

The journey to the Princess of Asturias Award spans a career decorated by a 2022 World Cup victory in Qatar, four UEFA Champions League titles with Barcelona, ten Spanish league championships, and eight Ballon d’Or trophies. Yet the jury specifically highlighted his path through early physical setbacks involving a childhood growth deficiency and his ability to rebound from difficult losses—including defeated finals at the 2014 World Cup and the 2015 and 2016 Copa América tournaments before winning the continental crown in 2021 and the global trophy a year later.

Reflecting on those moments with the students in Oviedo, Messi pointed to the value of resilience. De la derrota se sacan cosas muy positivas siempre. Para crecer hay que aceptar las derrotas y aprender. Hay que saber perder y ganar. Siempre se pierde más de lo que se gana, he said. He distilled his athletic philosophy into a single guiding rule for life on and off the pitch: Lo importante es pensar siempre en la siguiente jugada, haya pasado algo positivo o negativo, siempre hay que pensar en la siguiente jugada.

Messi also shared memories of his late father, Jorge Messi, who passed away in August, recalling the advice they shared after matches and training sessions. His father always instructed him to take the ball and keep trying regardless of mistakes because another opportunity would always follow.

Fair Play and a Special Guest in Oviedo

The afternoon featured local football figures, including Santi Cazorla, who joined the event and offered his perspective on facing Messi as an opponent versus watching him play. Asked whether he suffered more against Messi or enjoyed him more, Cazorla answered plainly: Siempre lo disfruté más.

As part of El juego del 10, students presented their own rules designed to foster fair play, empathy, and respect during school sports matches. The program emphasized teamwork, mutual support, and collective solidarity over individual outcomes—values that Messi reiterated as essential for any young player stepping onto a pitch for the first time.

Ceremony at the Teatro Campoamor

Friday brings the formal presentation of the Premio Princesa de Asturias del Deporte at Oviedo’s Teatro Campoamor.

More on this story: Leo Messi's Busy Schedule: Inter Miami, Princess of Asturias Award, and Oviedo Trip

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