In a triumphant moment at the Laureus World Sports Award, Lionel Messi secured the highly esteemed title of Sportsman of the Year. Accomplishing his long-awaited World Cup aspiration in Qatar, Messi also proudly accepted the Team of the Year award on behalf of Argentina, who emerged victorious over France in a thrilling final resolved by a penalty shootout.
The 35-year-old football sensation graciously acknowledged the honors during a ceremony in Paris. Notably, it was announced that Messi had recently rejoined Paris Saint-Germain after serving a club suspension. An exceptional feat, Messi became the first athlete to clinch both Laureus awards in the same year, expressing gratitude to his club and his fellow national team members for their support and contribution.
He said: “This is a special honour, particularly as the Laureus World Sports Awards are in Paris this year, the city that has welcomed my family since we came here in 2021.
“I want to thank all my teammates, not only from the national team but also at PSG — I have achieved none of this alone and I am grateful to be able to share everything with them.” Messi has apologised for an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia but his PSG future remains uncertain.
PSG CONTRACT
His contract expires this summer and while his two-year deal included the option of a third year, the expectation is that he will depart the club.
Former Chelsea and Real Madrid midfielder Claude Makelele, speaking at the event before the awards ceremony, said he disagreed with PSG’s decision to suspend Messi and hoped the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner would stay.
“It’s inside the club so I can’t know what’s going on, but there are other ways to punish a player internally,” Makelele said.
“It’s his choice. He has done so much, he also has the right to have fun. I hope that Paris will keep him. It’s a shame to lose this kind of players who give pleasure, we need them.”
Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who won the 100m gold medal at the World Athletics Championships, won the Laureus sportswoman of the year award, while Manchester United and Denmark footballer Christian Eriksen won a special comeback award after returning to the game following a cardiac arrest