Lionel Messi and Lewis Hamilton shared the Laureus World
Sportsman of the Year award on Monday night.
The superstar footballer and Formula one driver pipped Tiger
Woods, Rafael Nadal, Marc Marquez and Eliud Kipchoge for the honour. The pair
were tied for first place in the voting by former sports greats who make up the
members of the Laureus Academy.
Hamilton, who was given the award by former Arsenal manager
Arsene Wenger, said: 'It's all of our responsibility to use our platform for
really pushing for gender equality, inclusivity and making sure that we are
engaging and trying to represent where the world is today.'
Messi who was not at the event said: 'I apologise I was not
able to come to the event tonight. I really wanted to be there but
unfortunately, I could not make it.
'I would like to thank the Academy for giving me this
recognition.
'The truth is that this is a very special award and I am
honoured to be the first to win this from a team sport. Thank you very much.'
