The arrival of Leo Messi in Oviedo has made the Argentine footballer one of the main protagonists of the Princess of Asturias Awards 2026. Hundreds of people gathered this Thursday, October 22, at the doors of the Hotel de la Reconquista to welcome the player, who has unleashed the euphoria of fans on his first visit to the Asturian capital.
Messi landed in Asturias on the eve of the delivery of the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, which he will receive this Friday from the hands of Princess Leonor. His arrival has generated special anticipation, with numerous children and Argentine fans among the public, some of them from Rosario, the footballer's hometown.
The reception has been accompanied by the traditional bagpipe music, one of the usual elements in welcoming the award winners. However, the presence of the Argentine has gathered an especially large crowd. Dressed in a black suit without a tie, Messi posed for the cameras next to his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, who accompanied him during the trip. One of the most notable moments occurred when the player approached the fans who were on the other side of the street to sign autographs. The footballer could not attend to all the people who were waiting to see him, due to the tight schedule of his visit.
An express visit to collect the Princess of Asturias Award
Messi's agenda in Asturias is brief. The Argentine has traveled to Spain to collect the 2026 Sports award, granted for his football career and his solidarity commitment, especially in promoting access to education and healthcare for the most vulnerable children.
During the afternoon of this Thursday, the player is scheduled to participate in a meeting with the educational community at the Palacio de los Deportes de Oviedo. The activity, framed in the cultural program "Toma la palabra" ("Take the floor"), is aimed at young people and seeks to transmit values such as respect, empathy, and inclusion through football. The anticipation for this event has also been reflected in ticket sales: the 4,700 free invitations available sold out in just thirteen minutes. In addition, around 1,600 Asturian schoolchildren will participate in the activity.
On Friday, October 23, Messi will attend the audience with the award winners presided over by Princess Leonor and, in the afternoon, will go to the awards ceremony at the Campoamor Theater, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. He will be one of the protagonists of an edition that also recognizes figures such as singer Patti Smith, Japanese studio Studio Ghibli, and astronaut Christina Koch.
Messi's immediate future: return to Inter Miami and play against the New York Red Bulls
The Argentine's visit to Spain coincides with the final stretch of his sporting commitments with Inter Miami, the team with which he competes in the American league, Major League Soccer (MLS). For this reason, his stay in Oviedo has been organized so that he can attend the ceremony and return to the United States in time for the next match.
Inter Miami is scheduled to face the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, October 24. The plan is for Messi to travel to New York after collecting the award and be available for the match. However, his ability to join the team does not guarantee that he will start or play all minutes: that decision will depend on his physical condition and the coaching staff's discretion.
