Lionel Messi and his victorious Argentina team made history at the Laureus World Sports Awards, where they won both the Sportsman and Team of the Year awards.
Messi, who captained his country to their third World Cup triumph, scored seven times in the tournament held in Qatar in December 2022.
The Argentine legend’s dual award win makes him the first athlete ever to achieve such an incredible feat.
Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce was named Sportswoman of the Year, following her victory in the women’s 100m world championship at the World Athletics Championships held in Oregon in July.
Her impressive feat marked the first time a track athlete had won five gold medals in an individual event at the championship.
Messi expressed his gratitude and appreciation to his teammates from both the Argentine national team and his club, Paris Saint-Germain, for their contributions towards his achievements.
“I have achieved none of this alone, and I am grateful to be able to share everything with them,” said the PSG forward.
Fraser-Pryce was elated with her award win, stating, “This is the sixth time I’ve been nominated in this category, so to finally hold the Laureus statuette in my hands is one of the greatest honors of my career.”
Among the other winners were Christian Eriksen, who won the Comeback of the Year award, having made a return to football after suffering a cardiac arrest during Euro 2020, and Carlos Alcaraz, who was awarded World Breakthrough of the Year award for winning the US Open and becoming tennis’ youngest men’s number one in 2022.
The Laureus World Sports Awards recipients were selected by the members of the Laureus Academy, who are renowned sporting personalities.
The awards ceremony was held in Paris, a city that Messi and his family have called home since their move there in 2021.
The event also celebrated the TeamUp program, which assists children affected by war, and was awarded the Laureus Sport for Good award.
Full Award List
- Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award: Lionel Messi
- Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
- Laureus World Team of the Year award: Argentina men’s football team
- Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year award: Carlos Alcaraz
- Laureus World Comeback of the Year award: Christian Eriksen
- Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability award: Catherine Debrunner
- Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year award: Eileen Gu
- Laureus Sport for Good award: TeamUp (A programme for children displaced by war by Barcelona and Poland striker Robert Lewandowski)