The anticipation for the 25th Laureus World Sports Awards on April 22nd is building as the nominations have been unveiled, revealing a star-studded lineup including football icons Lionel Messi, Jude Bellingham, and Erling Haaland.
Messi, who clinched the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award in 2023, is set to compete against Haaland for the prestigious title this year.
However, the football maestros face stiff competition from other stellar athletes such as Novak Djokovic, Mondo Duplantis, Noah Lyles, and Max Verstappen.
Manchester City, led by Haaland, who secured the Treble last season, has earned a nomination for the coveted Laureus World Team of the Year award.
Among the notable teams vying for the honor are the European Ryder Cup team, South Africa’s Springboks rugby team, Spain’s women’s football team, Germany’s men’s basketball team, and the Oracle Red Bull Racing team.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has been recognized for his remarkable achievements and is in contention for the Laureus Breakthrough of the Year award.
Bellingham faces tough competition from standout athletes including Scottish middle-distance runner Josh Kerr, tennis prodigy Coco Gauff, Chinese swimmer Qin Haiyang, and fellow footballers Linda Caicedo and Salma Paralluelo, who left their mark at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
As the countdown to the prestigious awards ceremony begins, sports enthusiasts eagerly await the announcement of the winners and celebrate the extraordinary talent showcased across various sporting disciplines.
