Lionel Messi has yet again added another feather to his already impressive cap by being named the Laureus Sportsman of the Year 2023. The award ceremony was held in Paris to honor Messi’s remarkable performance in the 2023 season. In which, he led Argentina to victory in the World Cup.
At the ceremony, Messi expressed gratitude on receiving the award. He emphasized the unifying power of sports. He also thanked his teammates and supporters for their constant support throughout his career.
The Sportsman of the Year award was not the only one Messi won that night. He also accepted the Team of the Year award on behalf of Argentina. The team defeated France in a thrilling final match to clinch the title.
The ceremony came just after Messi returned to training with Paris Saint-Germain after serving a suspension for an unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia. Despite the controversy surrounding the trip, Messi’s reputation as one of the greatest footballers of all time remains undisputed.
Former footballer Claude Makelele spoke out in support of Messi at the ceremony. He disagreed with PSG’s suspension decision and hoped the team would retain him. Christian Eriksen also won a special award for his comeback to the game after a cardiac arrest.
Eriksen mentioned that restarting his football career at Brentford was one of his best moments of the past year. The Manchester United and Denmark footballer also emphasized that coming back and being a full-time dad and boyfriend were more important to him than anything else.
Nevertheless, Messi’s exceptional performance in the World Cup, as well as his resilience in the face of controversy, earned him well-deserved recognition. It was a night to honor and appreciate the unifying power of sports and the athletes who inspire us all.
