Sports · 5 June 2026

Lionel Messi wins 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports

Exam-focused facts from the 5 June 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

  • Lionel Messi has been awarded the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, becoming the first individual footballer to receive this honour.
  • The Princess of Asturias Award recognises outstanding achievements in fields including arts, literature, social sciences, scientific and technical research, international cooperation, and sport.
  • The award jury included foundation president Teresa Perales.
  • Messi's international achievements include the 2022 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup, 2021 and 2024 Copa America titles, and an Olympic gold medal in Beijing.
  • Previous recipients of the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports include Rafael Nadal, Michael Schumacher, Serena Williams, and Eliud Kipchoge.

View this story in the full daily briefing

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