Argentine footballer Leo Messi was recognized with the 2020 Laureus Prize for the best male athlete of the year, an award he shared with Lewis Hamilton, Formula 1 driver, after both were equal in voting at the gala held in Berlin.
The attacker excused his absence from the gala and was honored by the recognition in a video: «I was very excited to be able to be there for what it means and I want to send this message to thank the Academy for having given me this recognition. It is a very important award and I am especially honored to be the first to win it in a group sport.
For his part, Hamilton, six times world champion in his discipline, thanked Mercedes for her confidence during these years and declared: «I was very excited to be able to be there for what it means and I want to send this message to thank the Academy for giving me this recognition. It is a very important award and I am especially honored to be the first to win it in a group sport. EFE.