After PSG's punishment storm, then released an apology video and returned to training, Messi won his second Laureus Award for the best male player of the year when his relationship with Paris Saint-Germain eased.
He attended the awards ceremony in Paris and received the trophy. Messi last won the award in 2020, when he shared the award with British driver Lewis Hamilton for his stellar performances the previous year.
At the same time, the Argentine national football team won the Laureus Award for the best team by virtue of their journey to the World Cup in Qatar.
With his whereabouts still up in the air this summer, Messi and Argentina enjoyed yet another moment of happiness since winning the World Cup last year.
As one of the most influential awards covering all sports in the world sports, the Lawrence Award is nominated by 2,000 senior sports journalists from more than 70 countries and regions every year. Retired athletes vote to select the final winner. Athletes competing with Messi for the best male athlete award this time include Mbappe, Nadal, Verstappen, Stephen Curry and Duplantis.
Athletes who have won the Lawrence Award for Best Male Athlete many times before, including Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Bolt, Schumacher, Tiger Woods and other superstars, after the second award, Messi was able to Tied with the aforementioned players.
Since its inception in 2000, most of the winners of the Lawrence Award for Best Male Athlete are tennis and other individual-focused events. As a team sport, football has always been difficult to gain the upper hand. Messi's two awards are the only two in football. The awards show Messi's prominent position in the team.
Hugo Porta, a former Argentine rugby player who is a member of the Lawrence Sports Association, commented on Messi: "Messi has an inspiring power, just like Nelson Mandela did. La has a lot in common, the way he is a leader and an inspiration. Messi has gone beyond football and all the kids who play football want to be Messi."
It is logical that the Argentina team won the Laureus Best Team Award. According to CAB주소 statistics, since the award was established more than 20 years ago, the Men's Football World Cup champion team has successfully won the Lawrence Team Award in the second year without exception.
The rest of the award-winning football teams also include the 2005 European Cup-winning Greek team, the 2012-winning Barcelona, the 2014 and 2021 Grand Slam winner Bayern Munich, and the 2022 European Cup champion Italy. Team. This time, the Argentine team defeated Real Madrid, England Women's Football, Golden State Warriors, F1 Red Bull Racing and other nominated championship teams to win the award.
Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez, Argentine Football Federation president Tapia and Lionel Messi received the Laureus Award for best team on behalf of the Argentine team. Messi also created a history, becoming the first athlete in the history of the Lawrence Awards to receive the best athlete and best team awards at the same time.
Since winning the championship in Qatar last year, the moments of completeness and happiness belonging to Messi are still continuing. The World Player of the Year, the "Double Crown" of the Lawrence Award, and the Ballon d'Or that has attracted more attention in the second half of the year will be contested, but this There may still be some suspense in the selection of this item, mainly depending on whether there will be extremely outstanding individuals in the semi-finals and finals of this season's Champions League.
"I always want to get this type of award, it's the recognition from everyone. Last year I was lucky enough to achieve my biggest dream, which was to win the World Cup and I gave a lot for it. It was a joy to experience in Barcelona After many sad moments with the national team and the end of my career, I never gave up hope and with the support of my family, I realized my dream and the dream of the whole country. It is the most beautiful thing, the best reward for the whole of Argentina."
When Messi delivered his acceptance speech for the Best Male Athlete of the Lawrence Award, he specifically mentioned his highlight moment in Barcelona, and Barcelona's official social account also immediately sent congratulations. Combined with the rumors of Messi returning to Barcelona this summer, it is not impossible for Messi and Barcelona to renew their relationship, but this still requires Barcelona to make efforts.