The 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports belongs to one man: Lionel Messi Cuccittini. On the eve of collecting the prestigious accolade, the Rosario native touched down in Oviedo and sat down with news agency 'EFE'. Among other subjects, he fondly remembered his father, Jorge Messi, who passed away on 8 August.

His time at FC Barcelona: "It was a privilege to share a dressing room with Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol and so many others. We were fortunate enough to win everything, and to do it the way we did: how much we enjoyed playing, winning and achieving great things. But above all, we enjoyed our day-to-day life, the training sessions; we had a wonderful time."

What Barca means to him: "It is difficult to sum up in a few words. I experienced so many incredible moments and obviously hold a very, very special affection for both the city and the club (his three children were born there)."

How he would like to be remembered: "As a great sportsman. Sometimes things went my way, sometimes they did not, but I never stopped striving to win everything in front of me."

His father's pride in the award: "He was thrilled about an accolade that goes beyond what someone does on the pitch" or what someone has achieved throughout their career, so "he will surely be enjoying it as well."