Laureus Awards: Messi, Nadal, Verstappen nominated for Male Sportsman of the Year award

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London | Lionel Messi, who led Argentina to the FIFA World Cup title, along with Kylian Mbappe, tennis legend Rafael Nadal, Max Verstappen, NBA champion Steph Curry and pole vault world record holder Mondo Duplantis, have been announced for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award. Messi is included. The nominees for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award bring out the best in 2022.

Messi led Argentina to the title at the World Cup, while Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick in the final earned him the Golden Boot. The leading goalscorer of the World Cup was shortlisted along with Nadal. He ended 2022 on top of the all-time list of men’s Grand Slam champions with 22 titles after victories in Australia and France.

Max Verstappen has been included on the 2023 shortlist after defending his Formula One world title, alongside Messi and Nadal as previous winners of the award. Duplantis broke the pole vault world record on three occasions and took home and world titles. Steph Curry led the Golden State Warriors to the NBA Championship for the fourth time in eight years.

Formula One World Champion and current Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, Max Verstappen said, “It is an honor to be nominated for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award. Winning last year was an incredible moment for me. It is such a prestigious honour. To be shortlisted with the best athletes in the world is an achievement in itself.

The nominations for the 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards for the year 2022 were announced on Monday.

The world’s pre-eminent sports awards ceremony will not only pick the athletes who thrilled sports fans over the last 12 months, but also many who will end their careers with a claim to be among the greatest in the history of their sport.

Six nominees have been selected in seven Laureus categories, as well as six inspirational programs shortlisted for the Laureus Sport for Good Award.

The more than 1,400 members of the Laureus Global Media Nominations Panel judged all but one category. The shortlist for the Laureus World Sportsperson with a Disability Award was selected by an expert panel from the International Paralympic Committee.

–IANS

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