More than 30 petitions have surfaced on Change.org, and together they call on Spain’s Princess of Asturias Foundation to withdraw, revoke, or reconsider the 2026 Princess of Asturias Sports Award granted to Argentina captain Lionel Messi. Consequently, the honor now sits at the center of a growing dispute just weeks before its scheduled presentation.
Backlash Grows Over Princess of Asturias Award
The controversy traces back to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, which Spain won 1-0 in extra time. According to petition organizers, Messi and his teammates turned their backs during Spain’s trophy celebration, and additionally, several pointed to a heated exchange involving Messi and Spanish defender Marc Cucurella. As a result, Change.org users describe the conduct as unsportsmanlike and contrary to the values of respect the award is meant to represent. One of the largest petitions, which had drawn more than 1,500 signatures within a week of the final, argues that Messi’s behavior runs counter to sportsmanship and calls on the foundation to revisit its decision in order to protect the prize’s reputation. Petitioners further argue that, as Argentina’s captain, Messi should embody respect, fair play, and sportsmanship both on and off the pitch.
Messi Won Princess of Asturias Award in June
The foundation announced Messi as the recipient back on June 3, well before the World Cup final took place. At the time, the jury praised his professional career and his charitable work, and it also highlighted his humility, perseverance, and dedication to team football. Meanwhile, the official ceremony remains scheduled for October in Oviedo, and the foundation has not yet issued any public response to the petitions. Since the campaigns exist only on Change.org rather than through a formal review process, it remains unclear whether the foundation has any mechanism in place to reconsider an award once announced. Still, given the number of separate petitions circulating, the pressure on organizers shows little sign of easing before the ceremony.
