Lionel Messi accepts the Princess of Asturias Award in Spain and will rejoin Inter Miami for Saturday's game

Lionel Messi was honored in Spain this week with the Princess of Asturias Award for sport. He is the first individual soccer player to receive the prize.

Messi arrived in Oviedo on Thursday with his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo. Hundreds of fans lined the streets and waited outside his hotel, where he posed for photos and signed autographs. The ceremony was set for Friday with Spain's king and queen presiding.

Messi called the warm welcome "an immense happiness" after a long time away from Spain. "It's a privilege to be here with you all," he said.

An award for more than goals

The foundation behind the award cited his career and his ongoing charity work to help the most disadvantaged children get access to education and health care. It called him the player with the most titles in the history of the sport and praised his humility and commitment to team play.

Messi said his father, Jorge, who died on Aug. 8, was "very happy" about an honor that goes beyond what happens on the field. "He's surely enjoying it, too," Messi said.

He also thanked his parents and Barcelona, the club he called the club of his life. He spent 20 years there after arriving from Argentina as a teenager.

Back to work Saturday

Inter Miami coach Cristian "Kily" González confirmed Friday that Messi will rejoin the team for Saturday's match against the New York Red Bulls.

"What fills me with pride is his commitment to the club and with all of us," González said. He added that Messi chose on his own to fly back and play after an emotional week.

Miami is second in the Eastern Conference with 55 points from 30 games and has already clinched a playoff spot. Messi, 39, has 25 goals this season and recently retired from international play with 126 goals in 208 games for Argentina.