Messi to Fly to Spain for Princess of Asturias Award, Will Be Back in Time for Inter Miami

Messi is adding another trip to his calendar, and this time it has nothing to do with an MLS opponent. Inter Miami head coach Cristian "Kily" Gonzalez confirmed that the Argentine captain will head to Spain next week to receive the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, and that he'll be back in time to reunite with the team afterward.

The ceremony is set for Oviedo on October 22, two days before Inter Miami travels to face the New York Red Bulls in Harrison, New Jersey, in MLS play. In other words, Messi will go from a gala stage in Asturias to a match in the race for the Eastern Conference title in a matter of hours.

What stands out is that, far from causing headaches for the coaching staff, the trip was met with complete ease. "Yes, he has this event [in Oviedo], and I love that he's going to embrace it this way. The whole club agrees that he should be there because it's an extremely important award, not just for him but for his family," Gonzalez told reporters on Friday.

Afterward, of course, I'll have him available for the match [against the New York Red Bulls]. Leo has the opportunity, not an advantage, and I said this the other day after the game, I want him to be well. He needs it. He'll be there, and then I'll have him for the match, so it doesn't worry me at all.Cristian "Kily" Gonzalez

The Princess of Asturias Award is no ordinary honor: it recognizes outstanding achievements in fields such as literature, social sciences, scientific and technical research, international cooperation and sports. And here's what makes this recognition special for Messi: he became the first individual soccer player to receive it, according to an announcement made in June by the jury, which includes foundation president Teresa Perales among its members.

When the news broke, Messi himself didn't hide his excitement.

Honestly, it's a great source of pride for me to receive this recognition given its importance and the fact that it acknowledges not just what I do on the field but off it as well. I'm very happy, and very grateful. I wanted to share this with you all and send everyone a big hug. Thank you, and see you soon.Lionel Messi

Meanwhile, Inter Miami's current form on the field isn't going unnoticed either. The team already clinched its spot in the 2026 MLS playoffs on Wednesday and sits second in the Eastern Conference standings. Messi, for his part, remains firmly in the race for the league's Golden Boot with 23 goals, four more than his closest pursuer, Petar Musa of FC Dallas.

Before that matchup against the Red Bulls, which will share a weekend with his trip to Oviedo, Inter Miami has one stop to make first: a visit to Atlanta United FC this Saturday. It's a packed stretch, sure, but according to Gonzalez himself, it poses no problem for the team's planning going forward.