Lionel Messi, Carlos Alcaraz, Christan Eriksen, Eileen Gu win prizes at 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards
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Updated 09/05/2023 at 11:23 GMT
Lionel Messi and his World Cup-winning Argentina side won awards at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Paris, France. Tennis’ world No. 2 player Carlos Alcaraz was among the athletes also recognised, as well as Manchester United’s Christian Eriksen, skier Eileen Gu, and track and field star Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. "This is a special honour," Messi said after receiving the award.
Messi: It's a 'special honour' to win Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award
Lionel Messi won the World Sportsman of the Year award at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Paris, with his Argentina side recognised as Team of the Year.
Messi led Argentina to a third World Cup win in December, scoring seven goals in the tournament and claiming the Golden Ball award.
He produced a blockbuster performance in the final against France, scoring twice before Argentina won on penalties in Qatar.
"This is a special honour," the Paris Saint-Germain forward said.
"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 team-mates, 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."
Carlos Alcaraz won the Breakthrough of the Year award after he won the US Open at the age of 19 and became the youngest men's No. 1 in history.
The Sportswoman of the Year award went to track and field star Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce after her triumph in the 100m at the World Athletics Championships in Oregon in July.
"I was thrilled to be nominated alongside such inspiring women athletes,” she said.
“And to win this award, voted for by some of the greatest sportsmen and women of all time, is just amazing.
"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 honours of my career."
After his inspirational return to football following a cardiac arrest on the pitch at Euro 2020, Manchester United and Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen was presented with the Comeback of the Year award.
Other winners included World Para champion Catherine Debrunner, freestyle skier and Olympic gold medallist Eileen Gu, and TeamUp.
The awards are voted for by members of the Laureus Academy, a selection of sporting greats.
The full awards list
- World Sportsman of the Year award: Lionel Messi
- World Team of the Year award: Argentina men's football team
- World Breakthrough of the Year award: Carlos Alcaraz
- World Comeback of the Year award: Christian Eriksen
- World Sportswoman of the Year award: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
- World Action Sportsperson of the Year award: Eileen Gu
- World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability award: Catherine Debrunner
- Sport for Good award: TeamUp (A programme for children displaced by war by Barcelona and Poland striker Robert Lewandowski)
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