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Around 30 petitions call for Messi to be stripped of Princess award

By OnzeActu · · 5 min read

Around 30 petitions call for Messi to be stripped of Princess award

More than twenty petitions on Change.org ask the Princess of Asturias Foundation to cancel the awarding of the sports prize to Lionel Messi, pointing to his reactions during the Spain-Argentina final and the behavior of members of the Argentine delegation during the presentation of the trophy.

Why it matters

The petitions calling for the withdrawal of the Princess of Asturias award from Lionel Messi highlight the tensions that can arise after major sporting events such as the 2026 World Cup final. Messi's behavior, perceived as unsporting, could have an impact on his image, especially as the next season and international competitions approach. It could also influence public and sponsor perceptions of the Argentine star.

Context

Lionel Messi, winner of the Princess of Asturias award in the sports category, is at the center of controversy following his behavior during the 2026 World Cup final. The petitions circulating call into question his image as an exemplary sportsman, a crucial aspect as the season and international competitions approach. The current situation could have repercussions on his career and his role within the Selección de Argentina.

Key points

  • Around 30 petitions call for Messi to be stripped of the Princess Prize.
  • More than twenty petitions on Change.org ask the Princess of Asturias Foundation to cancel the awarding of the sports prize to Lionel Messi, pointing out his reactions during the Spain-Argentina final and the behavior of members of the Argentine delegation during the presentation of the trophy.
  • Bolельщики создали около 30 петиций с призывом лишить Месси Премии принцессы Astury.
Several public petitions – almost thirty according to the census – have been filed on the Change.org platform to ask the Princess of Asturias Foundation to reverse its decision to award the “Princess of Asturias” prize in the sports category to Lionel Messi. These initiatives appeared in the days following the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.

The authors of the petitions believe that the behavior of the Argentine striker during the tournament, and in particular during the final won by Spain 1-0 thanks to a goal from Ferran Torres in extra time, was “unsporting and contrary to the values ​​of respect”. They mention both Messi's reaction during the match and his attitude during the awards ceremony following the match.

The texts published on Change.org also mention the behavior of certain members of the Argentine delegation during the trophy presentation and refer to incidents that occurred after the meeting. These elements are at the heart of the requests addressed to the foundation, which, according to the petitions, should “reexamine” the awarding of the prize.

Lionel Messi was announced as winner of the Princess of Asturias prize in the sports category on June 3, 2026. The jury then highlighted his sporting career, his charitable commitment, as well as “his exemplary behavior on the pitch” and qualities cited such as constancy, modesty and attachment to the collective game. The official award ceremony is scheduled for October.

At this stage, neither the Princess of Asturias Foundation nor the organizers of the prize have made public an official response to the petitions relayed on Change.org. The calls for the withdrawal of the prize fuel a controversy which pits the signatories of the petitions against the arguments of the jury which motivated the distinction.

This case illustrates the important resonance of the events of the 2026 World Cup beyond the pitch, where behavior observed during and after matches can generate public and institutional reactions. It remains to be seen whether the Foundation will decide to open a formal review before the award is officially presented in October.

The rest

The Princess of Asturias Foundation is now facing growing pressure to re-evaluate the awarding of the prize to Messi, especially after the negative reactions following the final. The awards ceremony scheduled for October could be a key moment for Messi, where he will have to deal with criticism while continuing to prepare for the challenges ahead, especially in view of the 2026 World Cup. The results of this situation could also influence the dynamics of the Argentine team heading into future tournaments.

Frequently asked questions

What was the score of the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina?

Spain won the final against Argentina with a score of 1-0.

What impact did the final have on petitions against Messi?

The petitions demanding the withdrawal of the Princess of Asturias award from Messi were filed after the final, due to his behavior deemed unsporting.

When is Messi's Princess of Asturias award ceremony planned?

The official award ceremony

x is scheduled for October 2026.

How many petitions have been submitted to request the withdrawal of the award from Messi?

Approximately 30 petitions have been submitted on Change.org.

Which team won the 2026 World Cup?

Spain won the 2026 World Cup.

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