Headlines
Barcelona react as Lionel Messi wins new award
Barcelona have congratulated their former captain, Lionel Messi, after he received the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports in Oviedo on Friday, describing the relationship between the Argentine and the club as an “inseparable bond”.
Messi received the award a few days before the announcement of the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner in London.
The 39-year-old football legend received the award from Princess Leonor at the Teatro Campoamor during a ceremony presided over by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia. His wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, was also present at the event.
The jury, chaired by Paralympic swimmer Teresa Perales, selected Messi from 27 candidates representing 12 nationalities.
The panel recognised his “dazzling talent”, “exceptional sporting career” and “formidable and ongoing charitable work” aimed at improving access to education and healthcare for disadvantaged children.
Reacting to the honour in a post on X, Barcelona congratulated their former captain, describing the award as a deserved recognition of his achievements on and off the pitch.
“Congratulations to Leo Messi for the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports. A well-deserved recognition for your exceptional talent, which has left an indelible mark on and off the pitch,” the club wrote.
Barcelona further highlighted the Argentine’s historic connection with the club, stressing the important role the Catalan giants played throughout his career.
“A career full of successes during which FC Barcelona was a key part of your life and history. An inseparable bond that forms part of the club’s legacy and for which your involvement will always be a source of pride,” the statement added.
Messi rose through Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy before making his first-team debut in 2004. He spent 17 seasons with the senior team, leaving in 2021 after establishing himself as one of the club’s greatest players.
During his time at Barcelona, the forward scored 672 goals in 778 official appearances and won 35 trophies, including four UEFA Champions League titles and 10 La Liga championships.
The latest recognition also makes Messi the first footballer to receive the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports as an individual.
“The Legal Process Must Not Become A Source Of Intimidation” — NUJ Demands Probe Of Kaduna Journalist’s Conviction Over Facebook Post
Security Tightened In Kaduna Ahead Of Tinubu’s 2027 Campaign Flag-Off — Operatives Guard Posters, Billboards
Gov. Dauda Lawal Swears In Five New Permanent Secretaries, Calls For Compliance With Public Service Rules
Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno Spent N424.9 Billion In Six Months Unaccounted For Even When He Intends To Waste N10 Billion For Arise Palm Resort And N2.6 Billion For His Trip Round The World
‘President’s Job Is Not To Be High Jumper’ – Dele Momodu Reacts To Makinde’s Challenge To Presidential Candidates
“Some Ministers Pay Billions To Get Themselves Appointed” — Tinubu Campaign Spokesman Alleges Corruption In Appointment Process
EPL: Carragher predicts winners of Chelsea vs Tottenham, Man United vs Bournemouth, Arsenal, Liverpool, others
“No Indication To Alter Large Gatherings” — FG Rules Out Ebola Restrictions, Monitors 44 Contacts, Cuts Foreign Delegations
ECOMOG Veterans Association seeks Nigeria’s support for national memorial, repatriation of fallen heroes
“Voters Must Be Able To Make Decisions Based On Credible Information” — EU Warns Against AI-Driven Electoral Disinformation
EPL: Conte in talks over Man United job, lays down conditions
2027: North-West Has Chosen Tinubu, Says APC Campaign Council Member
Asiwaju Is The Northern Candidate, We Will Deliver Him In 2027 – Musa Kwankwaso
Bandits attack Zamfara community, kill seven residents, abduct several others
Stakeholders Call For Inclusive Policies To Promote Gender Equality In Nigeria
EPL: Rooney tells Carrick to give Fernandes Ferguson-Ronaldo treatment after latest comments
Kaduna Government Debunks N2.3tn APC Rally Spending Claim
Barcelona react as Lionel Messi wins new award
Two Nigerians Wanted In US Over $3.1m Medicare Fraud, Marijuana Conspiracy
Photo News: Tinubu, Shettima Arrive Kaduna For Campaign Flag-Off
Politics6 days agoBoko Haram Reportedly Destroys Half of Graha Community as Neighbouring Adamawa Villages Brace for Possible Further Attacks
- News7 days ago
Gov. Uzodimma Waste N400 Million To Rehabilitate Lagos Lodge, N250 Million For Just One-Storey Building In Government House, N175 Million For Chalet And Many More
- News7 days ago
Rascal In Power: In 90 Days, Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori Spent N310 Million For Treatment Abroad And Moves To Waste N500 Million To Build New Government House
- Politics5 days ago
THE WEEK: Islamist Jihadists Burn Evangelist Alive in Adamawa, Kidnap Catholic Priest in Benue, Strike Bases
- News7 days ago
Gov. Seyi Makinde Doubled Oyo’s Borrowings To N368.2 Billion In One Year And Drew Three Quarters Of His 2026 Loans In Three Months
- Metro7 days ago
“They Told Me To Resign And Leave The Country” — Okonjo-Iweala Says $2.4bn Subsidy Fraud Probe Led To Mother’s Kidnap
- News7 days ago
Gov. Bala Mohammed Drove Bauchi Into N441.7 Billion Of Debt And Smashed His Own Borrowing Ceiling In Six Months
- Metro3 days ago
“Millions Allegedly Collected For Undelivered Projects” — EFCC Arrests Innocent Ezuma Over $120m Ukrainian Investor Fraud
