Lionel Messi was left “speechless” after Rafael Nadal admitted he desires him to win the Laureus Award, regardless of having been nominated himself.
The icons are each amongst a star-studded shortlist of nominees for the celebrated gong, handed out annually to the world’s greatest sportsman, The Sun experiences.
Nadal, 36, may win the prize for the third time – having additionally picked it up in 2011 and 2021.
But the standard Spaniard, whereas honoured to be nominated, says he desires Messi to win it as an alternative.
He wrote on Instagram: “An honour to be nominated again to the Laureus Sportsman of the year… but… this year… let’s go Messi, you deserve it.”
In response to tennis favorite Nadal, Messi gushed: “That an athlete as great as you says that about me leaves me speechless…
“Thank you very much, Rafa Nadal, you also deserve everything for the way you compete every time you go out on the court.
“You’re a winner, maybe we have a lot of competition there, huh? You also deserve the Laureus award this year, really.”
Messi, 35, impressed Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, profitable the match’s Golden Ball award and scoring twice within the closing.
He additionally helped Paris Saint-Germain reclaim the Ligue 1 title from Lille.
Nadal, in the meantime, endured an injury-plagued yr – however was imperious when he was capable of play unencumbered by bodily illnesses.
He scooped a shocking Australian Open title in January 2022, by some means defeating Daniil Medvedev from two units down.
He then received his 14th French Open – and report twenty second Grand Slam total – comfortably beating protege Casper Ruud within the closing.
In the Sportsman of the Year class, Nadal and Messi are up towards Kylian Mbappe, Steph Curry, Max Verstappen and Mondo Duplantis.
While footballer Alexia Putellas and tennis world No 1 Iga Swiatek have been included on the Sportswoman of the Year shortlist.
– This article initially appeared on thesun.co.uk and was reproduced with permission.
Source: www.news.com.au
