The Laureus World Sports Awards, held in Madrid on Monday evening, saw a host of sporting stars recognised for their outstanding achievements in 2025. Among the winners were golfing legend Rory McIlroy and Formula One champion Lando Norris, who both received accolades for their remarkable seasons.
McIlroy's Comeback and Career Grand Slam
Rory McIlroy was awarded the Comeback of the Year prize for his long-awaited victory at the Masters in Augusta last April. This triumph was particularly significant as it completed his career grand slam, making him only the sixth player in history to achieve this feat. McIlroy secured the win in a dramatic play-off against Justin Rose, marking a milestone 11 years after he had moved within one major of the accomplishment in 2014.
In a pre-recorded speech, McIlroy reflected on his journey, stating: "I've had my fair share of near-misses at the Masters over the years and those moments are tough at the time, but they're also the ones that push you on, make you work harder and remind you not to give up. Thankfully it all came together for me in Augusta last year. I said when I was eight years old I wanted to win all the majors and to finally achieve that was an incredible feeling."
Norris's Maiden Formula One Title
Lando Norris was honoured for his maiden Formula One world championship, which he secured after a fierce battle with McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri and Red Bull's Max Verstappen. Presented with the award by six-time Olympic cycling gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy, Norris expressed his gratitude in a pre-recorded video.
He said: "A very special award won and it means a lot to not just me but everyone I have been working with. Not many people in life get to achieve their dream, but I was the lucky guy that managed to do exactly that, so a big thanks to everyone at McLaren, my mum and dad of course, my whole family and everyone that's been on the journey with me. It's been incredible. A beautiful trophy. I will put it next to my World Championship trophy!"
Top Awards for Tennis Stars
The main awards of the evening went to tennis stars Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka. Alcaraz, who won grand slam titles at Roland Garros and Wimbledon in 2025, was crowned World Sportsman of the Year. However, he cast doubt on his ability to defend his French Open crown next month due to a wrist injury, which required him to wear a protective cast at the ceremony.
Alcaraz, who withdrew from the Madrid Open for further assessment, commented at a press conference: "I have a long career ahead of me. Forcing for Roland Garros could penalise me enormously in the future. We'll see what the tests show. But I prefer to come back a bit later rather than rush." He becomes the fourth male tennis player to win the Sportsman of the Year award.
Aryna Sabalenka, the women's world number one, later claimed the Sportswoman of the Year title, adding to the tennis dominance at the event.
Other Notable Winners
- Lamine Yamal of Barcelona and Spain won the inaugural Young Sportsperson of the Year award.
- Paris St Germain were named Team of the Year, beating out contenders like the Lionesses and Europe's Ryder Cup team.
- Chloe Kim, the American snowboarder, received the Action Sportsperson of the Year award.
- Nadia Comaneci was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award, marking 50 years since her first perfect 10 in Olympic gymnastics.
- Gabriel Araujo, a Brazilian Paralympic swimmer, won Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability.
The Laureus World Sports Awards celebrated a diverse range of sporting excellence, highlighting the global impact of athletes across various disciplines. The event in Madrid underscored the dedication and perseverance required to reach the pinnacle of sports, with winners sharing inspiring stories of triumph and resilience.
