Lionel Messi has sparked excitement among football fans in Oviedo after arriving in the Spanish city ahead of the 2026 Princess of Asturias Awards, where the Argentine superstar is set to receive the Sports Award on Friday.
On Thursday, Oct. 22, hundreds of fans were outside the Hotel de la Reconquista awaiting a sighting of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner in his first visit to the Asturian capital. Children and Argentine fans were especially enthusiastic about the arrival, as were those from Messi’s hometown of Rosario.
Messi went to Asturias before the awards ceremony, where he will be given the award by Princess Leonor. He was the reason for a very large crowd coming to the hotel for the first time, making the hotel entrance a hotspot for football fans to welcome one of the greatest players in the game.
Messi came out in front of the cameras without a tie, wearing a black suit, and was accompanied by his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, who also made the trip. Bagpipe music was also played on the evening at the reception, which is also customary for those receiving the prestigious awards.
One of the highlights was when Messi went around autographing autograph books and meeting fans who had assembled opposite the stadium. But in the span of time that he was there, he was unable to visit all those who came to see him.
The Argentine’s presence has sparked much interest in this year’s ceremony of the Princess of Asturias Awards, which is awarded annually for excellence in several disciplines such as sport, science, culture and social affairs. Messi’s expected recognition serves as a testament to his enduring impact on football and his status as one of the sport’s iconic figures.
