By Can Erozden
The nominees for the 2024 Laureus World Sports Awards were announced on Monday, featuring prominent sports figures such as Lionel Messi, Novak Djokovic, Armand Duplantis, Aitana Bonmati, and Simone Biles.
The 25th edition of the Laureus World Sports Awards is scheduled to take place in Madrid on April 22.
Established by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation in 1999, the annual award ceremony recognizes sports individuals and teams for their outstanding achievements throughout the year.
Among the seven main award categories are World Sportsman of the Year, World Sportswoman of the Year, and World Team of the Year.
Inter Miami's Argentine forward Lionel Messi, who was named the 2023 Sportsman of the Year, has been nominated once again for the same award in 2024.
Renowned Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic, who clinched three Grand Slam titles in 2023, is set to compete against Messi and other nominees for the individual award in Madrid.
Pole vault world record holder Armand "Mondo" Duplantis, triple gold medalist in 2023 World Athletics Championships Noah Lyles from US, Manchester City's Norwegian star Erling Haaland, and Dutch racer Max Verstappen, the defending world champion in Formula One are the other nominees in men's category.
Former Borussia Dortmund forward Haaland helped Man City win the 2023 English Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles.
Barcelona Femeni midfielder Bonmati, who helped 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, is among the World Sportswoman of the 2024 nominees.
US gymnast Simone Biles will also be up for the World Comeback of 2024 award. Biles became the first female gymnast to win six all-around world titles at Antwerp 2023. She has four Olympic gold medals.
The 26-year-old had a stellar return to the gymnastics in 2023 following a hiatus after the Tokyo Olympics held in 2021.
- Nominees for 2024 Laureus Awards
Laureus World Sportsman of the Year nominees: Novak Djokovic (Tennis); Mondo Duplantis (Athletics); Erling Haaland (Football), Noah Lyles (Athletics), Lionel Messi (Football); Max Verstappen (Motor racing)
Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year nominees: Aitana Bonmati (Football), Shericka Jackson (Athletics), Faith Kipyegon (Athletics), Sha'Carri Richardson (Athletics), Mikaela Shiffrin (Alpine skiing), Iga Swiatek (Tennis)
Laureus World Team of the Year nominees: Europe Ryder Cup team (Golf), Germany men's basketball team, Manchester City (Football), Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team (Austria), South Africa Springboks (Rugby union), Spain women's football team
Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year nominees: Jude Bellingham (Football), Linda Caicedo (Football); Coco Gauff (Tennis), Qin Haiyang (Swimming), Josh Kerr (Athletics), Salma Paralluelo (Football)
Laureus World Comeback of the Year nominees: Simone Biles (Artistic gymnastics), Sebastien Haller (Football), Katarina Johnson-Thompson (Athletics), Siya Kolisi (Rugby union), Jamal Murray (Basketball), Marketa Vondrousova (Tennis)
Laureus Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability nominees: Simone Barlaam (Para swimming), Danylo Chufarov (Para swimming), Diede de Groot (Wheelchair tennis), Luca Ekler (Para athletics), Nicole Murray (Para cycling), Markus Rehm (Para athletics)
Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year nominees: Rayssa Leal (Skateboarding), Caroline Marks (Surfing), Kirsten Neuschafer (Sailing), Bethany Shriever (BMX racing), Filipe Toledo (Surfing), Arisa Trew (Skateboarding)
Laureus Sport for Good Award nominees: Bola Pra Frente (Multi-sport / employability), Dancing Grounds (Dancing / social integration), Fundacion Rafa Nadal (Multi-sport / education), ISF Cambodia (Football / education), Justice Desk Africa (Multi-sport / human rights), Obiettivo Napoli (Multi-sport / inclusion).