Lionel Messi has been named the 2023 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year.
Messi wins yet another award. The Best player in the world has won the prestigious World Sportsman of the Year and for a football record second time.
The Argentine is the only football player in history to win the Laureus World SPortsman of the Year award and has done it twice, having previously won it in 2020. Speaking at the award ceremony, here is what Messi had to say:
“It’s an honor for me to share a nomination with all these enormous athletes whom I greatly admire. Anyone could have won.
“It is always nice to receive this type of recognition. This year I was lucky to fulfill my big dream, to be World champion. It cost me a lot, almost my entire career. In between, I went through everything. Many joys with Barcelona and many sadness with the national team. But I never stopped and everything was a lesson for me.
“There were many obstacles along the way but I always tried to improve myself, with the support of my people. I am very grateful. I was able to fulfill my dream and that of an entire country. It took time to get there but it was the most beautiful thing that happened to me. This award goes to all of Argentina. Thank you very much.”
The other nominees were Kylian Mbappe of France, Max Verstappen of motor racing and the Netherlands, Mondo Duplantis who is in athletics from Sweden, tennis star Rafael Nadal of Spain and basketball great Stephen Curry of the United States of America.
🗣 Lionel Messi’s speech with English subtitles as he won the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year. Via @LaureusSport. pic.twitter.com/beba2Gg6Ma
— Mundo Albiceleste ⭐🌟⭐🇦🇷 (@MundoAlbicelest) May 8, 2023
🚨 Congratulations to Lionel Messi who is named the 2023 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year! 🐐🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/Qp2RYGenNx
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) May 8, 2023
