​Voted Barcelona's Most Beloved Player in History! Messi: "This Will Always Be My Home"

  
November 20 – Lionel Messi once again felt the eternal love of Barcelona fans. At the Gala of Values awards ceremony held in Madrid and organized by *Sport*, he was honored with the award for "The Most Beloved Player in the History of FC Barcelona," reinforcing the unbreakable bond between him and the Blaugrana faithful.

"This award is very special because of what it represents and where it comes from. We have been through many things together, good and not so good, but that’s normal – not everything can be perfect throughout a career. This will always be my home, my place, my people. I would have loved to spend my entire career at Barça without having to go to another club. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out that way, but I’m very grateful for this award," Messi told *Sport*'s director, Joan Vehils, after receiving the honor.

The award stemmed from a survey conducted by *Sport* with thousands of readers participating. The result was decisive: Messi won by an overwhelming margin, well ahead of club legends such as Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Ronaldinho, and Johan Cruyff. The fans made it clear: no other footballer inspires as much love, admiration, and gratitude as the eternal No. 10.

The Gala of Values aims to recognize not only sporting excellence but also the emotional legacy left by players, and Messi was the perfect honoree. The memories he created go far beyond 35 trophies, goal records, or magical nights at Camp Nou: Messi represents a shared emotion spanning over two decades. The survey by *Sport* also revealed a telling statistic: even among younger fans who witnessed fewer of his Barça years, the Argentine remains the most mentioned name, proving that his impact transcends time and different eras of the club.

This award adds a new chapter to the love story between Messi and Barcelona fans – a story no longer written on the pitch at Camp Nou, but one that lives vividly in collective memory and emotion. Messi is, and will continue to be, the most beloved player in the history of FC Barcelona.

Source: Sport