India, Oct. 23 -- Lionel Messi played his final game for the country only recently. The Argentina football talisman is being awarded the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports in 2026 on Friday. Often dubbed the Nobel Prize of Spain, this prestigious honour is presented by the Spanish Royal Family to celebrate individuals who have left a deep impact in their field and in society

Messi has becomes the first footballer to win this award individually. In the past, the accolade has been given to footballers, but never individually. In 2010, the award was bestowed on the Spanish national team after they won the FIFA World Cup. In 2012, the award was jointly given to Spain football greats Iker Casillas and Xavi Hernandez.

The jury's decision t...