Leo Messi was honoured by Laureus as the World Sportsman of the Year in Paris last night.
The 35-year-old Paris Saint-Germain forward led his native Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory in Qatar in December last year and was last night named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year at what is widely regarded as the “Oscars of sport”.
"I achieved my dream and the whole country's and it was the best thing that has happened to me and to everybody as a country after waiting for so long. So I would like to share this Award with all of Argentina"#Laureus23 World Sportsman of the Year Award Winner, Lionel Messi pic.twitter.com/gMG6oXNEWO
— Laureus (@LaureusSport) May 8, 2023
It is his second win after sharing the award in 2020 with Lewis Hamilton.
Conversations that only happen at the Laureus World Sports Awards....@lewy_official x Lionel Messi#Laureus23 | #OnlyAtLaureus pic.twitter.com/LHrydtEdBQ
— Laureus (@LaureusSport) May 8, 2023
Generally accepted as the greatest footballer of all time, La Pulga is also the first athlete to scoop the World Team of the Year award alongside his World Sportsman crown.
History maker! Lionel Messi is the first ever athlete to win the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year and Laureus World Team of the Year Awards in the same year.#Laureus23 pic.twitter.com/WJeaBghAMA
— Laureus (@LaureusSport) May 8, 2023
Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Price collected the female athlete prize while Spain’s 20-year-old US Open tennis champion, Carlos Alcaraz, was awarded the World Breakthrough of the Year.
Manchester United’s Christian Eriksen earned the World Comeback of the Year award.
Listen to the incredible words of @ManUtd's @ChrisEriksen8 - 2023 Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award winner.#Laureus23 pic.twitter.com/QsdQnR6Tfz
— Laureus (@LaureusSport) May 8, 2023
