Lionel Messi responds to Rafael Nadal as sporting greats back each other for Laureus World Sportsman of the Year
Lionel Messi has reacted to Rafael Nadal after the tennis player backed the Argentine to win the 2023 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award.
Nadal and Messi were among the six male athletes announced as nominees, alongside Kylian Mbappe, Max Verstappen, Armand Duplantis and Steph Curry.
In the 2022 season, Nadal won the Australian Open and the French Open, winning 22 Grand Slam titles. He also finished the season as world No. 2.
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Earlier on Tuesday, Nadal said Messi’s World Cup exploits should see him win the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award.
“Honored to be nominated again for Laureus Sportsman of the Year…but…this year…come on Lionel Messi you deserve it,” Nadal wrote on Instagram.
Messi agradece a Nadal sus palabras, a través de sus historias de Instagram
Photo credit: Instagram
In response, Messi wrote: “To have such a great athlete like you think of me like that leaves me speechless.
“Thank you Rafael Nadal, you too deserve everything for the way you compete every time you step onto the pitch.
“You are all a winner [the nominations] Everyone deserved the Laureus Sport this year, that’s the truth!!!”
Nadal has previously spoken about how happy he was to see Messi win the World Cup.
“Without supporting Argentina, tears came to my eyes when Messi scored the third goal because of the emotions of seeing someone so great, achieving what he failed to achieve and someone who has suffered so much to achieve it.”
Nadal is currently recovering from an injury and will no doubt play in Indian Wells or the Miami Open next month.
He has pulled out of a planned exhibition competition against Carlos Alcaraz in Las Vegas, which was scheduled for March 5.
“I’m very sad that I can’t come to Vegas and play with Carlos at this amazing event at MGM Grand Garden Arena,” said Nadal.
“Unfortunately, the timing of my recovery doesn’t make it possible to be ready to play there.”
Indian Wells, the first ATP 1000 event of the season, begins on March 8th.
Women’s World No. 1 Iga Swiatek has been nominated for the 2023 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year after a dominant season in which she won two Grand Slam titles.
US Open winner Carlos Alcaraz and Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina have been nominated for the Breakthrough of the Year Award.
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