Laureus Awards are arguably the most prestigious awards in the realm of sports. Lewis Hamilton, with his multiple achievements over the course of his career, has won multiple. Last year, Max Verstappen earned one after winning his maiden world championship against Hamilton in 2021. While there were a few questions about the legitimacy of the championship win, given that FIA admitted its “human error” over Michael Massi’s controversial call during the final race in Abu Dhabi, there were certainly none when he successfully defended his title with aplomb in 2022. That has now earned him another nomination for the award in 2023 but will face some stiff competition from the likes of soccer World Cup winner Lionel Messi and 2022 Australian Open and French Open winner Rafael Nadal.

2022 was definitely a season of Red Bull and Verstappen’s utter dominance. Never has a driver in the history of sport won 15 races in a season. But Max is not just another driver, is he? The commander of the Orange Army put up a display that modern F1 hasn’t seen in the past. While doing all that, he drew comparisons with the likes of the great Michael Schumacher.

However, what Rafa and Leo achieved aren’t any easy feats either. Leaving behind Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, the Spaniard became the first man ever to win 21 Grand Slam singles titles. The Argentinian, on the other hand, led his team to the World Cup win, against all odds. The other nominees, as per Motorsport.com, include Kylian Mbappe, Pole Vaulter Mondo Duplantis, and NBA sensation Stephen Curry.

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Verstappen bagged the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year last year and will definitely hope that his achievements were good enough to land him another one in 2023.

Max Verstappen beat the likes of Tom Brady and Novak Djokovic to win the 2022 Laureus

Before Max, Lewis earned a number of Laureus nominations and awards. After his maiden championship title, the Briton took home the Breakthrough of the Year Award after missing out on it the previous year. In 2020, he won the Sportsman of the Year after 4 nominations prior to that year. Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel have won the prestigious award as well in the past.

As is the case each year, there was stiff competition when Max won the Sportsman of the Year himself. He was up against 7-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady. Also in the fray was Novak Djokovic, who was in the form of his life.

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Each nominee this year has achieved the greatest heights in their respective discipline. The jury couldn’t go wrong with any decision.