- He has been nominated for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award 2024
- He is set to compete against Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic who clinched three Grand Slam titles in 2023
- He holds other awards including a record eight Ballon d’Or awards
Lionel Messi has been nominated for the prestigious Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award, an event that will have the winners known on April 22 2024 in the Spanish Capital.
Norwegian striker Erling Haaland comes up against Messii in the category of the world’s best sportsman. The latter won a record eighth Ballon d’Or and signed for MLS club Inter Milan.
The nominees for the Laureus World Sports awards were announced on Monday 26th and this will be the 25th edition which is scheduled to take place in Madrid on April 22. The foundation was established in 1999 and the ceremony recognizes sports individuals and teams for their outstanding achievements throughout the year.
Who is Lionel Messi?
Lionel Messi is an Argentine professional footballer who is regarded as the greatest player of all time, currently plays as a forward, and captains both Major League Soccer club Inter Milan and the Argentina national team.
Lionel Messi. Photo/Transfermarkt
At a young age, he displayed interest in the sport, eventually joining a local club Newell’s Old Boys where his exceptional talent became evident. FC Barcelona recognized his talent and he rose through their youth ranks, to make a senior team debut.
He played for Barcelona for about seventeen years and shattered countless records, leading the club to numerous accolades. He has represented and captained the Argentina national team to victory at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2021 Copa America.
Messi led Argentina to a thrilling victory against France at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and lifted the coveted trophy, fulfilling a long-lived dream.
Barcelona could not renew Messi’s contract due to financial constraints, which led him to join Paris Saint-Germain. After a year with PSG, he signed with Inter Milan in Major League Soccer where he continues shining.
Little-known facts about Messi
Despite his current fame, he came from a humble background and faced financial struggles. At 11 years old, he was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency that required expensive treatment, a challenge that almost made him abandon his dream of football.
On recognizing his talent, Barcelona was impressed and offered to cover his medical treatment. Messi is fluent in Spanish and Catalan but also understands Portuguese and Italian due to his family’s diverse heritage.
Despite his dominance on the field, he is shy and very reserved in public appearances. Due to his philanthropic nature, he established the Leo Messi Foundation which focuses on improving the lives of vulnerable children worldwide.
His first major international trophy came at the 2008 Beijing Olympics where he captained Argentina to gold and this seems the most memorable to him. While football dominates his life, he also enjoys painting and playing the piano.
Lionel Messi. Photo/Sky Sports
In 2017, he got married to model and businesswoman Antonella Roccuzzo, his childhood friend, having grown up in the same city in Argentina. The couple has three sons together.
Significance of the Laureus Award to Messi
Having received other numerous accolades including a record eight Ballon d’Or awards and a recent World Cup victory, the nomination serves as further motivation to keep pushing his limits and striving for excellence.
Nomination for the Laureus Award holds significant meaning for the player for several reasons. It is known for recognizing the best athletes and teams across various disciplines. Being nominated for this signifies global recognition and appreciation for his exceptional talent and achievements throughout the year.
Being nominated alongside their great athletes also validates his position as one of the best athletes in the world and reinforces his legacy to inspire young athletes.
This award ceremony is a celebration of sportsmanship and brings together legendary athletes from different sports, making them connect and interact as they celebrate their achievements. He is a strong contender with a strong case for the award considering his exceptional performance in the past year.
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