Lionel Messi has said FC Barcelona were lucky to win everything during his time at the club, and that he valued the daily routine of training as much as the trophies.
The Argentine made the remarks in an interview with the Spanish news agency EFE, after arriving in Oviedo to receive the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports.
Messi, who now plays for Inter Miami, also spoke about what Barcelona means to him and how he wants to be remembered.
What Messi Said About Winning Everything at Barcelona
Messi told EFE that Barcelona were fortunate to win everything, and equally fortunate in how they did it. He also spoke about how much the team enjoyed playing together, winning trophies, and achieving important milestones.
He singled out the daily routine, particularly the training sessions, as a key part of the experience. Asked what Barcelona means to him, Messi said it was difficult to put into words. Barca Universal translated his response as: "difficult to summarise in a few words."
Messi said he felt a special affection for Barcelona and the city where his three children were born. He also described sharing a dressing room with Xavi, Iniesta, and Puyol, along with "many more," as a privilege.
Asked how he wanted to be remembered, Messi said: as a great athlete who always fought for his goals and dreams, even when some did not materialise.
Barcelona’s Record During Messi’s 17 Seasons
Messi won 35 trophies with Barcelona, including four Champions League titles, ten La Liga titles, and seven Copa del Rey trophies. He scored a club-record 672 goals during his 17 seasons in the first team before leaving in 2021.
Messi has won 47 titles in his career, including the 2022 World Cup with Argentina and league titles with Paris Saint-Germain. The Princess of Asturias jury cited his record when it described him as the most decorated player in football history.
Those figures show how much Barcelona won with Messi on the team.
Why Messi Is in Oviedo After Argentina Retirement
The interview comes after a difficult period for Messi. Argentina lost the 2026 World Cup final to Spain on 19 July. Messi later said he wrote his retirement message two days after the defeat but delayed announcing it while his father, Jorge, was seriously ill.
Jorge Messi passed away in August after a long illness. On 31 August, Messi announced his retirement from international football. He continues to play for Inter Miami.
Messi said his father had been eager for him to attend the Princess of Asturias Award ceremony and insisted he travel to Oviedo, despite the difficulty of fitting the trip around matches.
His father always encouraged him to keep trying, whether he succeeded or failed, because another opportunity would come. The Princess of Asturias Foundation named Messi the award winner in June, recognising his career and charitable work with disadvantaged children.
Messi receives the award from Spain’s royal family at the Campoamor Theatre in Oviedo on 23 October. The prize includes a sculpture by Joan Miró, a diploma, an insignia, and €50,000.
