Lionel Messi receives top Spanish award in recognition of social work

Lionel Messi receives top Spanish award for social work

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Lionel Messi received Spain’s most prestigious sports award, the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, in recognition of his glittering career and his work for disadvantaged children’s access to health and education. The Argentinian forward, 39, was named winner of the award in June, with the jury hailing “the most successful footballer of all time” and his social work.

Dozens of fans wearing Argentina football shirts cheered and chanted Messi’s name as he arrived to the sound of bagpipes and drums at the ceremony in Oviedo, capital of the northern Spanish region of Asturias. Messi collected a formal roll of parchment from Princess Leonor, the heiress to the Spanish throne, after whom the awards are named, who lauded his “unique career”.

One of the greatest footballers of all time, Messi has won eight Ballon d’Or titles, a World Cup and dozens of trophies at club level. He spent 21 years at Barcelona, where he played in a side that dominated Spain and Europe under Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique.

The Princess of Asturias Awards are the most prestigious in the Spanish-speaking world and come with prize money of 50,000 euros ($56,000). They encompass the arts, sciences and sports and are handed out annually in honour of efforts to improve human coexistence, solidarity and global cooperation.