Rory McIlroy and Lando Norris have been among the many winners on star-studded evening on the prestigious Laureus World Sport Awards on Monday.
McIlroy accomplished a long-awaited profession Grand Slam in 2025 – 11 years after his final main win – by lifting The Masters trophy at Augusta Nationwide, and the Northern Irishman obtained the Laureus World Comeback of the 12 months Award.
“Winning my second Laureus Award is a huge honour, both personally and for golf. To have the sport recognised on a global stage like this, alongside so many great athletes, means a lot,” stated McIlroy, who retained his Masters crown earlier this month.
“There are certain moments in your career that stay with you, and winning The Masters is one I’ll carry with me forever. To then have a year like that recognised by Laureus is very special.
“Finishing the profession Grand Slam was extremely emotional. It is one thing I have been chasing for a very long time, and it in all probability means extra due to every little thing that got here earlier than it – the close to misses, the setbacks, and the questions alongside the way in which. That is a giant a part of the journey, and I am grateful that this award recognises that.
“I additionally need to congratulate the entire nominees, particularly these in my class. There are some wonderful tales there, and I’ve taken numerous inspiration from them.
“I know the Laureus Awards were founded by Johann Rupert, who I’m fortunate to know, so that makes this even more meaningful. I also believe strongly in what Laureus stands for and the idea, as Nelson Mandela said, that sport has the power to change the world.”
Breakthrough award for Norris
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Watch the total interview as Lando Norris speaks to Craig Slater to mirror on successful McLaren’s first drivers’ title since Lewis Hamilton in 2008
Norris got here out on high in an exciting battle with McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri and four-time champion Max Verstappen to win his maiden Components One drivers’ championship title, and the 26-year-old’s unimaginable 12 months has been topped with the Laureus World Breakthrough of the 12 months Award.
“Thank you to the Laureus Academy for selecting me as their World Breakthrough of the Year winner. It’s an honour to be recognised by many legendary athletes who have achieved so much in their careers,” stated Norris.
“Winning the world championship is something I dreamed about since I was young, so to win my first in 2025 is pretty special. It’s far from being an individual achievement, without my team, who were also nominated for a Laureus Team of the Year Award, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
“It is fairly unimaginable to have my title added to the checklist of winners of this Award, becoming a member of athletes like Lewis Hamilton to Jude Bellingham, I hope to additionally encourage younger drivers coming by. This Laureus is a reminder of every little thing that went into our win final season, and every little thing nonetheless to come back.”
Tennis double
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Highlights of the US Open last between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Carlos Alcaraz was named Laureus World Sportsman of the 12 months after a stellar marketing campaign which noticed the Spaniard regain the World No 1 spot at 12 months’s finish and win two Grand Slam titles on the French and US Opens.
Alongside Alcaraz within the winners’ circle in New York was Aryna Sabalenka, who has now joined an elite checklist of tennis gamers to have obtained the Laureus World Sportswoman of the 12 months Award which incorporates Serena Williams, Jennifer Capriati, Justine Henin and Naomi Osaka.
The complete checklist of winners
- Laureus World Sportsman of the 12 months Award: Carlos Alcaraz
- Laureus World Sportswoman of the 12 months Award: Aryna Sabalenka
- Laureus World Workforce of the 12 months Award: Paris Saint-Germain
- Laureus World Breakthrough of the 12 months Award: Lando Norris
- Laureus World Comeback of the 12 months Award: Rory McIlroy
- Laureus World Sportsperson of the 12 months with a Incapacity Award: Gabriel Araújo
- Laureus World Motion Sportsperson of the 12 months Award: Chloe Kim
- Laureus World Younger Sportsperson of the 12 months Award: Lamine Yamal
- Laureus Sporting Inspiration Award: Toni Kroos
- Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award: Nadia Comăneci
- Laureus Sport for Good Award: Fútbol Más
