Lionel Messi and Lewis Hamilton win Laureus Award for 'Best Sportsman of the Year'

Lionel Messi and Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton were jointly awarded the Laureus award for World Sportsman of the Year - the first draw in the twenty year history of the awards. Messi had been nominated five times in the past, and is winning the award for the first time. He is the first footballer to win the award. Messi and Hamilton pipped Tiger Woods, Rafael Nadal, Marc Marquez and Eliud Kipchoge for the honor. Simon Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, was named Laureus Sportswoman of the Year.

The Laureus awards were handed at a gala that took place in Berlin on Monday night. Unable to make it to the gala, Messi thanked his voters via a video link during the event. He said: 'I apologize 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 honored to be the first to win this from a team sport. Thank you very much.'

Hamilton was present at the gala and his award was handed to him by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. Hamilton 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 has won the Ballon d'Or six times, and Hamilton has been crowned F1 world champion six times. Both stars had a tremendous year. Messi won the Golden Shoe, the Pichichi title, his sixth Ballon d'Or, and FIFA's Player of the Year. He currently leads the La Liga table for goals and assists this season.

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Princess Qajar - The Revolutionary Persian Princess

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