Laureus Awards: Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka Lead Winners as PSG Named Team of the Year
Laureus Awards recognise top athletes across sport with Alcaraz and Sabalenka taking the male and female honours at Monday’s ceremony, while Paris Saint-Germain was named Team of the Year. The Laureus Awards highlighted standout achievements including Grand Slam victories, a first Champions League for PSG and notable individual comebacks and career honours.
Alcaraz and Sabalenka Named Laureus Athletes of the Year
Carlos Alcaraz received the Laureus male athlete award after a season that included victories at Roland-Garros and the US Open last year, followed by the Australian Open this January. Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1, was handed the female athlete prize after successfully defending her US Open crown and consolidating her position at the top of the women’s game. Both players were cited for their consistency on the biggest stages and for shaping the narrative of professional tennis over the past year.
Paris Saint-Germain Crowned Team of the Year
Paris Saint-Germain was honoured as Team of the Year after capturing the UEFA Champions League title for the first time in the club’s history in 2025. The award recognised PSG’s collective achievement and the combination of investment and sporting performance that delivered the long-sought European crown. The club’s triumph was framed as a milestone for French football and a defining moment in the continental club landscape.
McIlroy Recognised for Masters Title Defence
Rory McIlroy won the Laureus award for Sporting Comeback of the Year following a successful defence of his Masters title this month. The recognition reflected his return to peak form in a major championship environment and his ability to respond to the pressure of title defence. Organisers pointed to the dramatic quality of the performance and its resonance with golf fans worldwide.
Lamine Yamal Honoured as Young Athlete
Barcelona and Spain forward Lamine Yamal was named Laureus Young Athlete of the Year, a distinction that celebrates breakthrough performers under 21. At just 18, Yamal’s rapid rise through club and international ranks was highlighted as emblematic of a new generation of attacking talent. The award recognised both his on-field impact and his potential to shape the sport’s near future.
Lando Norris Awarded for Global Sporting Achievement
Former Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris received the Laureus Global Sporting Achievement award following a title-winning season in which he secured the F1 world championship. The accolade acknowledged the global reach and technical excellence of his campaign, which captured attention across motorsport and mainstream audiences. Judges noted Norris’s blend of speed, consistency and public appeal in selecting him for the honour.
Toni Kroos, Nadia Comăneci and Other Lifetime Recognitions
Germany midfielder Toni Kroos was presented with the Laureus Sporting Inspiration award in recognition of his contribution to football and his influence beyond the pitch. Gymnastics legend Nadia Comăneci received a Lifetime Achievement award, celebrating a career that transformed her sport and left a lasting legacy. Both awards honoured long-term impact and the wider cultural significance of these figures in sport.
Chloe Kim and Gabriel Araujo Take Extreme and Para-Athlete Awards
American snowboarder Chloe Kim secured the Laureus award for Excellence in Extreme Sports, reflecting her continued prominence in winter sports and her high-profile competitive returns. The award for Best Athlete with a Disability went to Brazilian para-athlete Gabriel Araujo, recognising outstanding performance and representation in para-sport. These categories underscored the Laureus Awards’ emphasis on diverse disciplines and the breadth of athletic excellence.
The Laureus Awards ceremony offered a cross-sport snapshot of the past year, bringing together established champions, emerging stars and figures celebrated for lifetime contributions. By distributing honours across team, individual and specialist categories, the event highlighted both headline achievements and narratives of resilience and progression.
As global sport moves into a new season, the Laureus Awards serve as both a retrospective and a platform for future storylines, reaffirming the performances that defined the year and spotlighting athletes poised to shape what comes next.
