Rory McIlroy and Lando Norris were among the sporting stars honoured for their stellar 2025 seasons at Monday’s Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid.
Though absent from the Spanish ceremony, McIlroy secured the Comeback of the Year award following his long-awaited triumph at the Masters in Augusta last April.
His play-off victory over Justin Rose saw him become only the sixth player to achieve a career grand slam, 11 years after he first stood one major away from the feat in 2014.
In a pre-recorded speech, McIlroy reflected: “I’ve had my fair share of near-misses at the Masters over the years and those moments are tough at the time, but they’re also the ones that push you on, make you work harder and remind you not to give up. Thankfully it all came together for me in Augusta last year. I said when I was eight years old I wanted to win all the majors and to finally achieve that was an incredible feeling.”
British racing driver Lando Norris also received recognition for his maiden Formula One title, which came after a titanic battle against McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
Presented with his gong by six-time Olympic cycling gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy via a pre-recorded video, Norris stated: “A very special award won and it means a lot to not just me but everyone I have been working with.
“Not many people in life get to achieve their dream, but I was the lucky guy that managed to do exactly that, so a big thanks to everyone at McLaren, my mum and dad of course, my whole family and everyone that’s been on the journey with me. It’s been incredible. A beautiful trophy. I will put it next to my World Championship trophy!”
Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz was crowned World Sportsman of the Year, though his acceptance speech cast doubt on his ability to defend his French Open crown next month.
Alcaraz, who achieved grand slam success at Roland Garros and Wimbledon in 2025, received his award wearing a protective cast on his right wrist.
Having withdrawn from this week’s Madrid Open for further assessment on the injury, he told a press conference: “I have a long career ahead of me. Forcing for Roland Garros could penalise me enormously in the future. We’ll see what the tests show. But I prefer to come back a bit later rather than rush.”
Alcaraz is the fourth male tennis player to win the prestigious Sportsman of the Year accolade.
Women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka later claimed the Sportswoman of the Year award.
Elsewhere, Barcelona and Spain’s Lamine Yamal scooped the inaugural Young Sportsperson of the Year, while PSG were named Team of the Year, triumphing over the Lionesses and Europe’s Ryder Cup heroes.
American snowboarder Chloe Kim was recognised as Action Sportsperson of the Year, and Nadia Comaneci received a Lifetime Achievement Award, 50 years after her historic first perfect 10 in Olympic gymnastics.
Brazilian Paralympic swimmer Gabriel Araujo was named Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability.
