The Laureus World Sports Awards lit up Madrid on Monday as the biggest names in world sport gathered for a star-studded ceremony celebrating the best achievements of the past year. The red carpet event brought together champions, legends and rising stars for one of sport’s most prestigious nights.
The tennis players led the winners, with world number one Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenkova named Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year, while Paris Saint-Germain were crowned Team of the Year after a dominant season. In Formula 1, Lando Norris secured the Breakthrough of the Year award.
The ceremony was hosted for the first time by two athletes, Novak Djokovic and Eileen Gu, and also included a number of special honors. Nadia Comaneci received a lifetime achievement award, while Lamine Yamal and Toni Kroos were among those honored for their impact on the sport.
Held in the Spanish capital during a busy sporting week, the awards once again had winners in several disciplines. Voted by members of the Laureus World Sports Academy, the honors recognize both elite performance and lasting impact on sport.
FOOTBALL MAS WINS SPORTS FOR GOOD
Futbol Mas received the Laureus Sport for Good Award for its work supporting young people in Latin America, Africa and Europe. The organization uses soccer as a tool to promote resilience, inclusion and community leadership.
Its programs are part of a wider network of more than 300 Laureus-supported initiatives around the world. The award highlights the role of sport in driving social change and creating opportunities for vulnerable communities.
COMANECI RECEIVES LIFETIME HONOUR
Nadia Comaneci has won a Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award 50 years after becoming the first gymnast to score a perfect 10 at the Olympics. She won three gold medals in 1976 and added two more in 1980, redefining the sport.
As a founding member of the Laureus World Sports Academy, she has also played a key role in promoting sport as a tool for social change. Her influence continues to be felt across generations of athletes.
KROOS WINS THE INSPIRATION AWARD
Toni Kroos received the Laureus Sporting Inspiration Award after a decorated career with club and country. He won multiple Champions League titles and domestic honors with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, as well as the FIFA World Cup with Germany.
Kroos retired in 2024 after establishing himself as one of the most consistent midfielders of his generation. His achievements and longevity have earned him recognition among the greats of the sport.
YAMAL WINS YOUNG ATHLETE AWARD
Lamine Yamal has been named Laureus World Young Sportsman of the Year in recognition of his rapid rise in Barcelona. The 18-year-old forward played a key role in the trophy-winning team and continued his development at the highest level.
He also won the Kopa Trophy for the second time, an unprecedented achievement. His performances marked him as one of the brightest young talents in world football.
KIM HAS AN ACTION SPORTS TITLE
Chloe Kim won the Laureus World Action Sportsman of the Year award for the third time after another dominant season. She secured her third World Championship and continued to push the boundaries of her sport.
Kim also claimed her eighth X Games gold medal, tying Shaun White as the most decorated skater in X Games history. Her success reinforces her position as one of the leading figures in action sports.
ARAUJO IN PARA SPORT TRAVELED
Gabriel Araujo has been named the Laureus World Athlete of the Year with a Disability after winning three gold medals at the Para Swimming World Championships. He won titles in the 50 and 100 m breaststroke and 200 m freestyle.
The results matched his performance at the Paris Paralympics and underlined his consistency at the highest level. Araujo became one of the leading athletes in para swimming.
MCILROY CLAIMS COMEBACK PRIZE
Rory McIlroy won the Laureus World Comeback of the Year award after completing a career Grand Slam by winning the Masters. The victory ended an 11-year wait for a major title after a string of near misses at Augusta National.
He later defended the title in 2026, becoming only the fourth golfer to do so. The success completed a return to the top of the sport after years of failure.
MCILROY CLAIMS COMEBACK PRIZE
Rory McIlroy won the Laureus World Comeback of the Year award after completing a career Grand Slam by winning the Masters. The victory ended an 11-year wait for a major title after a string of near misses at Augusta National.
He later defended the title in 2026, becoming only the fourth golfer to do so. The success completed a return to the top of the sport after years of failure.
NORRIS GETS BREAKTHROUGH HONORS
Lando Norris was awarded the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year after winning his first Formula 1 world championship. He recorded seven race victories, including wins at Silverstone, Monaco and the season opener in Australia.
Norris fended off strong competition from team-mate Oscar Piastri and defending champion Max Verstappen in the closing stages of the season. His performances marked him as one of the leading riders in the sport.
PSG SECURE THIS YEAR
Paris Saint-Germain have been named the Laureus World Team of the Year following their historic campaign won six major trophies. The highlight was their first UEFA Champions League title, secured with a 5–0 victory over Inter Milan in Munich.
The French side also lifted Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and several international honours. Their dominance across competitions made them the best club team of the year.
Paris Saint-Germain have been named Laureus World Team of the Year after a historic campaign in which they won six major trophies. The highlight was their first UEFA Champions League title, secured with a 5–0 victory over Inter Milan in Munich.
The French side also lifted Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and several international honours, completing one of the most dominant seasons in club football. Their success meant they made it into a strong field of contenders for the award.
Harmanpreet Kaur-led Indian women’s cricket team missed out despite winning their maiden ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title last November. Their campaign garnered widespread acclaim and marked a landmark for the sport in the country, but they were beaten to the award in PSG’s trophy-laden season.
The Indian side has been shortlisted alongside contenders including the England Women’s Football Team, the European Ryder Cup Team, the McLaren Formula One Team and the Oklahoma City Thunder, underscoring the depth of competition in the category.
SABALENKA CLAIMS WOMEN’S AWARD
Aryna Sabalenková secured the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award after a season defined by consistency at the highest level. She held the world number one for the whole year, defended her title at the US Open and reached the finals at both the Australian Open and the French Open.
Sabalenka has also won several WTA 1000 titles, including wins in Miami and Madrid. Her consistent dominance across surfaces has placed her among a distinguished list of past winners.
ALCARAZ GETS TOP HONOR
Carlos Alcaraz has been named Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year after a breakthrough season in which he regained the world number one and won the French Open and US Open Grand Slam titles. The 22-year-old also reached the Wimbledon final and put in an excellent performance against her Jannik Sinner in the Roland Garros final.
Alcaraz, the previous winner of the Breakthrough in 2023, becomes the youngest recipient of the award. He joined an elite list of winners including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
– The end
Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
21 Apr 2026 08:51 IST
