While PSG sanctions him, the whole world continues to reward him. Now, Lionel Messi won the Laureus Award for Best Sportsman of the Year on Monday, in recognition of his consecration with the Argentine national team and the historic conquest of the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
The man from Rosario attended the gala at the Pavilion Vendôme in Paris, accompanied by his wife Antonela Roccuzzo, to receive the award that he also won in 2020, becoming the first footballer and the first Argentine to achieve it.
Beyond the recognition and the gala, the ceremony had an emotional moment when Hugo Porta spoke.
“You are much more than a soccer player. Today all the boys who want to be soccer players want to be Messi. The academy chose you to give you the award not only for what you do on the field, but for what you do off the field. For the person you are, for your humility, for your way of leading, for the example you set, for your attachment to your family. I see it every time I work with the Laureus Foundation in Argentina, with the kids who don’t have opportunities, the admiration they have for you. They all love you, we all love you,” said Porta.
Later, Porta, with a deep comparison, included the figure of Nelson Mandela in his speech. “I had the opportunity to meet Mandela. Mandela and you have many things in common. Many of his abilities, you have them. Your way of leading, your way of inspiring. If Mandela were here, he would give you a hug. I’m going to give it to you on his behalf. I congratulate you ”, he ended by melting into a hug with Messi, who was excited.
