Lionel Messi has been voted the World Sportsman of the Year by Laureus.
The Argentina superstar was given the nod ahead of Kylian Mbappe, Max Verstappen and Rafael Nadal after the the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner realised his ultimate ambition in Qatar.
He lifted the World Cup for his country after playing a leading role as he joined the late Diego Maradona in dominating the globe’s leading international tournament late last year.