Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi are set to go head to head in the category for Sportsman of the Year at the 2024 Laureus World Sports Awards.
Erling Haaland notched a sensational 52 goals last season, 36 of which came in a remarkable debut season in the Premier League, as he helped Manchester City to a remarkable treble of the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
Haaland said: “Last year was a very special year for me and the whole team. I couldn’t have scored the number of goals I did without my incredible teammates, the coaches and staff at the club, without them the success would not be possible.
“I am really proud to be nominated for the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award alongside so many other incredible athletes.”
But Haaland is up against stiff competition in Messi, who has been nominated for his performances for Inter Miami, PSG and Argentina and having won a record eighth Ballon D’Or last year.
Also nominated for the award are Formula One driver Max Verstappen, tennis legend Novak Djokovic, USA sprinting star Noah Lyles and record-breaking Swedish pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis.
In the Sportswoman of the Year category, Spanish footballer Aitana Bonmati will be looking to take home the award following a memorable year which saw her win the World Cup and having been named as the player of the tournament.
Haaland’s Manchester City are up for the World Team of the Year following their treble-winning season, as are Bonmati’s Spanish World Cup winning side.
Jude Bellingham could mark a memorable year by taking home the World Breakthrough of the Year award, with women’s football stars Linda Caicedo and Salma Paralluelo also included among the nominees.
The award ceremony takes place in Madrid on April 22nd, with Haaland will look to take the crown from Messi, who won last year’s award after winning the World Cup with Argentina in Qatar.
