Laureus 2026: Excellence and Fair Play on the Global Stage

The 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards, held on April 20 in Madrid, once again brought together the world’s top athletes while highlighting a message that goes beyond results: sport must be played with integrity, respect and fairness.

Winners of the Night:

• Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award: Carlos Alcaraz
• Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award: Aryna Sabalenka
  
• Laureus World Team of the Year Award: Paris Saint-Germain
  
• Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award: Lando Norris
  
• Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award: Rory Mcllroy
  
• Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award: Gabriel Araújo
  
• Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award: Chloe Kim
  
• Laureus World Young Sportsperson of the Year Award: Lamine Yamal
  
• Laureus Sporting Inspiration Award: Toni Kroos
  
• Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award: Nadia Comăneci
  
• Laureus Sport for Good Award: Fútbol Más
  
  

  The awards are decided by the Laureus World Sports Academy, reinforcing their global credibility and prestige.

  Recognition of Sportsmanship and Values

  Although there is not always a standalone fair play category, the values of sportsmanship and integrity are consistently recognised through special awards and honorary distinctions.At the 2026 ceremony, Toni Kroos received the Laureus Sporting Inspiration Award, acknowledging his humanitarian work and exemplary conduct beyond football.A particularly symbolic moment of the evening was the recognition of Nadia Comăneci, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award, exactly fifty years after her historic Olympic perfect 10. The award celebrated not only her legendary career, but also her lasting impact on sport and her role as a global ambassador of its core values. Her legacy continues to inspire generations, reflecting excellence combined with respect and dignity.Laureus also maintains the prestigious Spirit of Sport Award, which honours athletes or teams who embody the true essence of sport through fairness, perseverance and respect.

  Fair Play in Focus

  The connection to fair play was also visible around the event itself. Ahead of the ceremony, Laureus supported initiatives promoting positive behaviour in sport—such as the “Green Card” campaign, which rewards respect, teamwork and empathy instead of only punishing misconduct.This reflects the same principles promoted by international fair play organisations:
  • Respect for opponents and rules
  • Ethical behaviour on and off the field
  • Education through sport

  A Shared Message

  The 2026 Laureus Awards showed that true sporting greatness is not only about winning, but about how athletes behave, inspire others, and contribute to society.