Argentina and PSG veteran Lionel Messi won an unprecedented double on Monday, receiving individual and team Laureus honors for his exploits and those of his World Cup-winning country.
Messi, 35, won his first World Cup trophy in Qatar in December after a thrilling penalty shootout victory over France — enough to earn him an individual award, while the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner also took the team honor at a famous Paris event.
The Argentine, who was there with his wife Antonela Roccuzzo, previously shared the trophy with British Formula One winner Lewis Hamilton in 2020.
Messi, who received a fine and suspension from PSG for making an unapproved promotional tour to Saudi Arabia, beat out clubmate Kylian Mbappé, whose World Cup final hat trick was insufficient to earn him glory in Qatar.
Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who won her sixth global 100m title last August in Eugene, Oregon, was named female athlete of the year, while US Open tennis champion Carlos Alcaraz was named global Breakthrough of the Year.
Going back to football, Denmark and Manchester United star Christian Eriksen earned a Comeback Award for returning to the top of the European game after collapsing with cardiac arrest during the Euros two years ago.
Swiss para-athlete sensation Catherine Debrunner meanwhile picked up the Disability Award after triumphing in her opening two marathons
The Sport for Good Award was presented to TeamUp -– a programme for children displaced by war -– by Barcelona and Poland star Robert Lewandowski.
Meanwhile, Chinese-American Olympic ski freestyle champion Eileen Gu won the World Action Sportsperson accolade.
The awards have been made annually since 2000 by a jury comprising 71 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, representing the past 50 years of athletic excellence.
This year’s ceremony followed two virtual editions owing to Covid restrictions.
