Rory McIlroy and rising Formula One star Lando Norris were among the athletes who took home trophies on a glittering evening at the highly regarded Laureus World Sport Awards on Monday. The ceremony, which brings together the most celebrated figures from across the sporting world, highlighted the remarkable achievements of both men during a year that saw them reach historic milestones. McIlroy, the Northern Irish golfer, capped a long‑awaited career Grand Slam by winning The Masters at Augusta National in 2025 – a triumph that arrived eleven years after his previous major title. In recognition of his dramatic resurgence, he was presented with the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award.
"Winning my second Laureus award is a tremendous honour, both personally and for the sport of golf," McIlroy said in his acceptance speech. "Having the game showcased on a global platform alongside so many extraordinary athletes means a great deal." He went on to reflect on the emotional weight of his Masters victory, noting that the moment would stay with him forever.
"There are certain milestones in a career that you never forget, and lifting that green jacket is one I will carry with me for the rest of my life. To have a year like that recognised by Laureus adds an extra layer of significance," he added. McIlroy described the path to completing the career Grand Slam as "incredibly emotional" and emphasized that the journey was shaped by near‑misses, setbacks, and lingering doubts. "The fact that I finally achieved it after everything that came before makes it even more meaningful.
This award acknowledges not just the victory but the whole story behind it," he explained. He also paid tribute to his fellow nominees, especially those competing in the same category. "There are some amazing stories among the nominees, and I have drawn a lot of inspiration from them," he said.
McIlroy highlighted his personal connection to the Laureus Awards, noting that they were founded by Johann Rupert, a man he knows personally. "That makes this recognition even more special," he remarked. He concluded by echoing Nelson Mandela’s belief that sport possesses the power to change the world, a principle he feels strongly about. The awards night also shone a spotlight on Lando Norris, the 26‑year‑old British driver who clinched his first Formula One World Drivers' Championship after a gripping duel with his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri and four‑time champion Max Verstappen.
Norris’s breakthrough season earned him the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award, cementing his status as one of the sport’s most promising talents. "I am deeply grateful to the Laureus Academy for selecting me as the World Breakthrough of the Year," Norris said. "It is an honour to be recognised alongside legendary athletes who have achieved so much in their careers." He reflected on his lifelong dream of winning a world title, noting that achieving it in 2025 felt "pretty special".
"This triumph is not just my own; it belongs to the entire team that supported me," he added, acknowledging that his McLaren crew had also been nominated for the Laureus Team of the Year Award. Norris expressed his desire to inspire the next generation of drivers, mentioning that joining the ranks of past Laureus winners such as Lewis Hamilton, Jude Bellingham and other sporting greats was a source of pride. "This Laureus award reminds us of everything that went into our success last season and points to the work that still lies ahead," he said.
In the individual categories, Spanish tennis prodigy Carlos Alcaraz was crowned Laureus World Sportsman of the Year after an extraordinary campaign that saw him finish the year as world number one and capture two Grand Slam titles at the French Open and the US Open. Alcaraz’s consistency and youthful vigor have drawn comparisons to past greats, and his award underscores his rapid ascent to the top of the sport. On the women’s side, Belarusian star Aryna Sabalenka received the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award. Sabalenka joins an elite roster of past winners that includes Serena Williams, Jennifer Capriati, Justine Henin and Naomi Osaka.
Her powerful baseline game and tenacious spirit have made her a dominant force on the WTA tour, and the Laureus honour recognises her outstanding performances throughout the season. The ceremony, held in New York, also featured a series of promotional messages and reminders for viewers, such as suggestions to stream PGA Tour events without a contract, watch live golf on Sky Sports, and listen to the Sky Sports Golf Podcast.
Technical notes about using the Chrome browser for an optimal video experience were displayed throughout the broadcast. Overall, the Laureus World Sport Awards served as a celebration of perseverance, breakthrough performances, and the transformative power of sport. From McIlroy’s emotional comeback and completion of a career Grand Slam to Norris’s meteoric rise in Formula One, and the continued excellence of athletes like Alcaraz and Sabalenka, the night highlighted how dedication, teamwork and resilience can lead to historic achievements. The awards not only honoured individual triumphs but also reinforced Laureus’s mission—rooted in Nelson Mandela’s belief—that sport can inspire change, unite communities, and shape a better future for all.