Lionel Messi says he wants to be remembered for continuing to pursue his ambitions, rather than solely for the trophies he won, after reflecting on Argentina’s defeat by Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.
Messi, 39, said the disappointment was part of his football journey and that the most important thing was giving everything in the attempt to win. “In football, winning is very difficult, and you have to appreciate the journey, because only one team can win,” he said.
The Inter Miami forward recently retired from international football after scoring 126 goals in 208 appearances for Argentina. His career included years of criticism and near misses before he won the Copa America in 2021, another continental title and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Messi was speaking in Oviedo, Spain, where he will receive the Princess of Asturias Award for Sport on Friday, October 23, at a ceremony presided over by the King and Queen of Spain.
He arrived in Oviedo on Thursday and was greeted by hundreds of supporters outside his hotel. Accompanied by his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, the former Barcelona captain signed autographs, posed for photographs and met fans.
The award recognises both Messi’s football achievements and his charitable work supporting access to education and healthcare for disadvantaged children. The Princess of Asturias Foundation praised his career, influence on football and commitment to helping children facing disadvantage.
Messi said he was excited and grateful to receive the honour, particularly because of its prestige and his long connection with Spain. The recognition adds to a collection of individual and team honours that includes eight Ballon d'Or awards, two Copa America titles and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Messi on learning from defeat
Argentina’s loss to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final ended their attempt to retain the trophy. Messi said players must learn to value the journey even when their efforts do not produce the result they want.
He believes experiencing defeat helped him understand the importance of accepting mistakes and using them to improve. Football inevitably brings setbacks, he said, and players need to know how to win and how to lose.
Messi’s international career ended with 126 goals in 208 appearances, making him one of the most decorated players in Argentina’s history.
His route to that success began when he left Argentina as a young teenager to join Barcelona. He spent 20 years at the club, winning domestic and European honours and becoming central to one of the most successful periods in its history. He later played for Paris Saint-Germain before joining Inter Miami.
Messi said the values taught by his parents, together with Barcelona’s discipline and commitment, shaped both his football and his life. He described Barcelona as the club of his life and said his responsibilities there extended beyond his performances on the pitch.
He also paid tribute to his father and agent, Jorge Messi, who died on August 8. Messi said they had shared a strong bond and that his father had been “very happy” about the Princess of Asturias Award.
He recalled his father’s repeated advice to keep trying, whether an attempt succeeded or failed. That lesson, Messi said, helped him through the challenges of his career and remains central to how he hopes to be remembered.