Messi arrives in Oviedo to receive the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports

The street leading to the hotel wasn't big enough. Hundreds of people crowded into Oviedo this Thursday just to catch a glimpse of Lionel Messi, who arrived in the city to receive one of the most significant honors that exists outside a soccer field: the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports.

The ceremony will take place this Friday, presided over by the King and Queen of Spain. Messi arrived with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and before heading into the hotel he took time to sign autographs and pose with the fans waiting at the entrance. No rushing, even though the security logistics called for it.

The 39-year-old Inter Miami forward spoke with EFE and didn't hide how he felt: he said he was "very excited" and grateful for the recognition, noting that he understands exactly how much weight this award carries after having lived so many years in Spain. That's no small thing for someone who arrived from Argentina as a teenager and ended up spending 20 years at Barcelona, the club he himself describes as the one of his "life."

Messi took the opportunity to speak about the values instilled in him by both his parents and the Barcelona institution itself.

"When you're there (at Barcelona) it's not just about playing soccer. Soccer is the result of a lot of things you have to do, of responsibilities you have before going to train or play a match."Lionel Messi

There was also a more personal moment in the conversation. Messi remembered his father, Jorge, who died on August 8, and said his father was "very happy" that his son was receiving an award that goes "beyond what one does on the field." He left a reflection that felt more heartfelt than ceremonial: he said his father is probably "enjoying this too" from wherever he is.

The jury didn't just honor his soccer career, though that alone would have been more than enough. The Princess of Asturias Foundation highlighted, beyond his talent, "his extraordinary sporting career" and his sustained charitable work over the years to improve access to education and health care for vulnerable children.

The foundation went further in its reasoning, calling Messi "the player who has won the most titles in the history of soccer" and noting that he earned "the respect and admiration of everyone" through his exemplary conduct on the field, along with his consistency, humility and commitment to team play.

It's worth recalling the sporting backdrop to this honor: Messi recently retired from the Argentine national team after scoring 126 goals in 208 matches, won the 2022 World Cup and added two Copa America titles, on top of the eight Ballons d'Or already in his collection. In Oviedo this Friday, another name gets added to that list, but this time it has nothing to do with a soccer ball.