The concession to Leo Messi of the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports 2026 has generated a campaign on the internet after the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. Users of Change.org have promoted 30 petitions to request that the recognition be withdrawn or reviewed.
One of the campaigns accumulated more than 1,500 signatures on July 29. Its promoters link the claim to the behavior they attribute to the Argentine captain during his team's defeat and in the ceremony following the match.
Why do they demand the award be withdrawn from Messi?
The initiatives argue that the athlete's attitude during the final was incompatible with the principles of sportsmanship, respect, and fair play associated with the award.
The petitions also mention the conduct of part of the Argentine delegation and the altercations that occurred after the match. The FIFA opened a disciplinary and ethical investigation due to the fight recorded after the final whistle.
In any case, these are campaigns promoted by individuals. The signatures gathered on Change.org do not legally obligate the Princess of Asturias Foundation to modify the decision made by the jury.
The Foundation keeps Messi as the awardee
Messi was chosen as the winner on June 3. The jury valued his sports career and his charitable work, in addition to highlighting his behavior on the field, his humility, and his commitment to collective play.
For now, the Foundation keeps the Argentine on its official list of awardees for 2026 and there is no record that it has announced the opening of a procedure to revoke the recognition. The award ceremony is scheduled for October.