Lionel Messi described successful a Laureus Award as “a particular honour” as he was topped World Sportsman of the Yr in Paris.
The Paris St Germain ahead was a joint winner of the award in 2020 alongside Lewis Hamilton, however he took sole honours this time after main Argentina to World Cup glory final yr.
Messi gained the World Cup for the primary time in his glittering profession in Qatar, incomes the Golden Ball because the match’s finest participant within the course of, and on Monday he additionally collected the Laureus prize for Workforce of the Yr on behalf of the triumphant Argentina squad.
The 35-year-old mentioned: “It is a particular honour, notably because the Laureus World Sports activities Awards are in Paris this yr, the town that has welcomed my household since we got here right here in 2021.
“I wish to thank all my team-mates, not solely from the nationwide crew but additionally at PSG – I’ve achieved none of this alone and I’m grateful to have the ability to share all the things with them.
“I wish to thank the Laureus Academy – what makes these Awards so particular to us as athletes is the truth that they’re voted for by these unbelievable champions, my heroes, and this places my sporting achievements in true context.
“That is the primary time I’ve been the only real winner of the Laureus Sportsman of the Yr Award and after a yr after we lastly gained one other prize we had been chasing for a very long time, on the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, it’s an honour to have the ability to maintain this Laureus Statuette.”
Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce scooped World Sportswoman of the Yr after successful a document fifth 100m gold on the World Championships in 2022.
Manchester United and Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen gained Comeback of the Yr following his return to soccer after collapsing on the pitch throughout Euro 2020, whereas tennis world quantity two Carlos Alcaraz was awarded World Breakthrough of the Yr.
The award winners had been voted for by the sporting greats who make up the members of the Laureus Academy.
