A host of modern-day superstars, sporting legends and icons from the world of fashion and entertainment were in attendance at the Palacio de Cibeles in Madrid to celebrate the achievements of the world’s top athletes and pay tribute to those picking up the most coveted trophy in sport: the Laureus.
Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Lando Norris said: “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.
“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’s pretty incredible to have my name added to the list of winners of this Award, joining athletes like Lewis Hamilton to Jude Bellingham, I hope to also inspire young drivers coming through. This Laureus is a reminder of everything that went into our win last season, and everything still to come.
When Rory McIlroy got his hands on the US PGA Championship back in 2014 to take his Majors tally to four at just 25 years of age, it was simply a matter of when – not if – he would complete the Grand Slam. In the years that followed, McIlroy had a series of heartbreaking losses at Augusta National, with sports fans around the world suffering with him. He looked destined for yet more agony in 2025 after missing a putt on 18 that set up a nerve-shredding play-off with Ryder Cup team-mate Justin Rose. But McIlroy wasn’t to be denied, displaying the kind of character which separates the good from the great to triumph in the sudden-death shootout and become just the sixth man in history to win all four Majors. Emotions were running high as McIlroy – a former winner of the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award – put on the famous Green Jacket in the Augusta clubhouse as he marked the crowning moment of an outstanding career. He then defended his title in 2026, becoming only the fourth golfer to do so.
Rory McIlroy said: “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.
“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.
“Completing the career Grand Slam was incredibly emotional. It’s something I’ve been chasing for a long time, and it probably means more because of everything that came before it – the near misses, the setbacks, and the questions along the way. That’s a big part of the journey, and I’m grateful that this award recognises that.
“I also want to congratulate all of the nominees, especially those in my category. There are some amazing stories there, and I’ve taken a lot of 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.”
Having played a pivotal role in securing McLaren’s first Formula One World Constructors’ Championship in 26 years the previous season, Lando Norris ended 2025 as Drivers’ Champion to cement his status as one of the sport’s greatest talents. Norris was relentless in his pursuit of glory. An opening-day Grand Prix win in Melbourne set the tone for what would be a stunning season which saw Norris stand on the top step of the podium seven times, including at the jewel-in-the-crown Monaco Grand Prix and at his home race at Silverstone in front of thousands of his fans packed in to the purpose-built ‘Landostand’. Norris came under intense pressure in the closing races of the season, but held his nerve to bring his McLaren home in third at the finale in Abu Dhabi, sparking emotional scenes both behind the wheel and inside the garage. Norris is the third British driver to win the Laureus Breakthrough of the Year Award, following Lewis Hamilton (2008) and Jenson Button (2010).
On a star-studded night in the Spanish capital, broadcast to millions and followed on social media by many more, the greatest sportswomen and men got their hands on the prize most coveted by elite athletes: The Laureus.
Carlos Alcaraz was named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year after a stellar campaign which saw the Spaniard regain the World No.1 spot at year’s end and win two Grand Slam titles at the French and US Opens.
Alongside Alcaraz in the winners’ circle in New York was Aryna Sabalenka, who has now joined an elite list of tennis players to have received the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award which includes Serena Williams, Jennifer Capriati, Justine Henin and Naomi Osaka.
Paris Saint-Germain are Laureus World Team of the Year after claiming six titles across 2025, including the club’s first UEFA Champions League which was delivered in emphatic fashion with a 5-0 demolition of Internazionale in Munich.
PSG defeated Barcelona in an epic semi-final that featured yet another star turn from Lamine Yamal. Barcelona’s prodigy – who powered them to a domestic treble in 2025 – won his second Laureus, adding to the 2025 Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award the inaugural Laureus Young Sportsperson of the Year Award.
Two-time Olympic champion Chloe Kim made it a hat-trick of Laureus wins after collecting the Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year for a third time following a magnificent season which brought victory at the world championships as well as an eighth X Games gold.
Brazil’s Gabriel Araújo was honoured with the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award after winning three gold medals at the World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with the world’s greatest athletes on the biggest stage were representatives from this year’s Laureus Sport for Good Award recipient, Fútbol Más, an organisation which supports young people across Latin America, Africa and Europe, fostering resilience, belonging and community leadership through football. Fútbol Más is one of more than 300 Laureus-supported programmes operating worldwide which embody the Laureus mission: to change the world through the power of sport.
Nominees for the Laureus World Sports Awards are decided by the world’s media, and the winners are voted on by the 69 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy – the ultimate sporting jury. This year, the Academy also awarded additional discretionary Awards.
The Laureus Sporting Inspiration Award was presented to Toni Kroos, who retired in 2024 after a legendary career in the Real Madrid midfield that ended with – among many other honours – four La Liga titles, and five wins each in the UEFA Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup.
The Academy also awarded its highest honour, the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award, to Nadia Comăneci, 50 years after she scored the first Perfect 10 in Olympic gymnastics history. The Romanian became a founding Member of the Laureus World Sports Academy in 2000, and has played a vital role in the Laureus movement, engaging with programmes which improve outcomes for vulnerable young people.
The full list of Winners is:
Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award: Carlos Alcaraz
Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award: Aryna Sabalenka
Laureus World Team of the Year Award: Paris Saint-Germain
Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award: Lando Norris
Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award: Rory McIlroy
Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award: Gabriel Araújo
Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award: Chloe Kim
Laureus World Young Sportsperson of the Year Award: Lamine Yamal
Laureus Sporting Inspiration Award: Toni Kroos
Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award: Nadia Comăneci
Laureus Sport for Good Award: Fútbol Más
Images & Words Courtesy of LAUREUS WORLD SPORTS AWARDS
