Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka headline Laureus Awards in Madrid as PSG win large


The Laureus World Sports activities Awards lit up Madrid on Monday as the most important names in international sport gathered for a star-studded ceremony celebrating the best achievements of the previous 12 months. The crimson carpet occasion introduced collectively champions, legends and rising stars at certainly one of sport’s most prestigious honors nights.

Tennis gamers led the winners, with world No.1s Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka named Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Yr respectively, whereas Paris Saint-Germain had been topped Workforce of the Yr after a dominant season. In System One, Lando Norris secured the Breakthrough of the Yr award.

The ceremony was hosted for the primary time by two athletes, Novak Djokovic and Eileen Gu, and likewise featured a collection of particular honors. Nadia Comaneci acquired a lifetime recognition, whereas Lamine Yamal and Toni Kroos had been amongst these acknowledged for his or her affect on the game.

Held within the Spanish capital throughout a busy sporting week, the awards as soon as once more had winners throughout a number of disciplines. Voted by members of the Laureus World Sports activities Academy, the honors acknowledge each elite efficiency and lasting affect on sport.

FOOTBALL MAS WINS SPORT FOR GOOD

Futbol Mas acquired the Laureus Sport for Good Award in recognition of its work supporting younger individuals throughout Latin America, Africa and Europe. The group makes use of soccer as a device to advertise resilience, inclusion and neighborhood management.

Its packages are a part of a wider community of greater than 300 Laureus-supported initiatives worldwide. The award highlights the position of sport in driving social change and creating alternatives for at-risk communities.

COMANECI RECEIVES LIFETIME HONOUR

Nadia Comaneci was awarded the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award, 50 years after changing into the primary gymnast to attain an ideal 10 on the Olympic Video games. She received three gold medals in 1976 and added two extra in 1980, redefining the game.

A founding member of the Laureus World Sports activities Academy, she has additionally performed a key position in selling sport as a device for social change. Her affect continues to be felt throughout generations of athletes.

KROOS EARNS INSPIRATION AWARD

Toni Kroos acquired the Laureus Sporting Inspiration Award following a embellished profession with membership and nation. He received a number of Champions League titles and home honors with Actual Madrid and Bayern Munich, in addition to the FIFA World Cup with Germany.

Kroos retired in 2024 after establishing himself as one of the crucial constant midfielders of his technology. His achievements and longevity earned him recognition among the many sport’s greats.

YAMAL WINS YOUNG ATHLETE AWARD

Lamine Yamal was named Laureus World Younger Sportsperson of the Yr, recognizing his fast rise at Barcelona. The 18-year-old ahead performed a key position in a trophy-winning aspect and continued his improvement on the highest degree.

He additionally claimed the Kopa Trophy for the second time, an unprecedented achievement. His performances have marked him out as one of many brightest younger skills in world soccer.

KIM TAKES ACTION SPORTS TITLE

Chloe Kim received the Laureus World Motion Sportsperson of the Yr award for the third time following one other dominant season. She secured a 3rd world championship and continued to push the boundaries of her sport.

Kim additionally claimed an eighth X Video games gold medal, drawing degree with Shaun White as essentially the most embellished halfpipe rider in X Video games historical past. Her success reinforces her standing as one of many main figures in motion sports activities.

ARAUJO HONOURED IN PARA SPORT

Gabriel Araujo was named Laureus World Sportsperson of the Yr with a Incapacity after profitable three gold medals on the World Para Swimming Championships. He took titles within the 50m and 100m backstroke and the 200m freestyle.

The outcomes matched his efficiency on the Paris Paralympics, underlining his consistency on the highest degree. Araujo has emerged as one of many main athletes in para swimming.

MCILROY CLAIMS COMEBACK AWARD

Rory McIlroy acquired the Laureus World Comeback of the Yr award after finishing the profession Grand Slam with victory on the Masters. The win ended an 11-year await a significant title following a collection of close to misses at Augusta Nationwide.

He later defended the title in 2026, changing into solely the fourth golfer to take action. The achievement capped a return to the highest of the game after years of setbacks.

MCILROY CLAIMS COMEBACK AWARD

Rory McIlroy acquired the Laureus World Comeback of the Yr award after finishing the profession Grand Slam with victory on the Masters. The win ended an 11-year await a significant title following a collection of close to misses at Augusta Nationwide.

He later defended the title in 2026, changing into solely the fourth golfer to take action. The achievement capped a return to the highest of the game after years of setbacks.

NORRIS EARNS BREAKTHROUGH HONOUR

Lando Norris was awarded Laureus World Breakthrough of the Yr after profitable his first System One world championship. He recorded seven race victories, together with wins at Silverstone, Monaco and the season opener in Australia.

Norris held off sturdy competitors from teammate Oscar Piastri and defending champion Max Verstappen within the closing phases of the season. His performances marked him out as one of many sport’s main drivers.

PSG SECURE TEAM OF THE YEAR

Paris Saint-Germain had been named Laureus World Workforce of the Yr after a historic marketing campaign during which they received six main trophies. The spotlight was their first UEFA Champions League title, secured with a 5–0 victory over Inter Milan in Munich.

The French aspect additionally lifted Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and a number of worldwide honours. Their dominance throughout competitions established them because the standout membership workforce of the 12 months.

Paris Saint-Germain had been named Laureus World Workforce of the Yr after a historic marketing campaign during which they received six main trophies. The spotlight was their first UEFA Champions League title, secured with a 5–0 victory over Inter Milan in Munich.

The French aspect additionally lifted Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and a number of worldwide honours, finishing one of the crucial dominant seasons in membership soccer. Their success noticed them edge a powerful subject of nominees to say the award.

India’s girls’s cricket workforce, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, missed out regardless of profitable their maiden ICC Ladies’s T20 World Cup title final November. Their marketing campaign had drawn widespread acclaim and marked a landmark second for the game within the nation, however they had been crushed to the award by PSG’s trophy-laden season.

The Indian aspect had been shortlisted alongside contenders together with the England girls’s soccer workforce, the European Ryder Cup workforce, McLaren System 1 Workforce and the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, underlining the depth of competitors within the class.

SABALENKA CLAIMS WOMENS AWARD

Aryna Sabalenka secured the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Yr award after a season outlined by consistency on the highest degree. She held the world No.1 rating all year long, defended her US Open title and reached finals at each the Australian Open and French Open.

Sabalenka additionally claimed a number of WTA 1000 titles, together with wins in Miami and Madrid. Her sustained dominance throughout surfaces positioned her amongst a distinguished record of previous winners.

ALCARAZ WINS TOP HONOUR

Carlos Alcaraz was named Laureus World Sportsman of the Yr after a landmark season during which he reclaimed the world No.1 rating and received Grand Slam titles on the French Open and US Open. The 22-year-old additionally reached the Wimbledon remaining and delivered a standout efficiency towards Jannik Sinner within the Roland Garros remaining.

A earlier Breakthrough winner in 2023, Alcaraz turns into the youngest recipient of the award. He joins an elite record of winners together with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

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Printed By:

Amar Panicker

Printed On:

Apr 21, 2026 08:51 IST