The Spanish Tennis legend has backed PSG star Lionel Messi to win the prestigious Laureus Sportsman of the Year ahead of him.
Nadal has brought his total haul of Grand Slams to 22 after he won the Australia Open and the French Open in 2022. However, despite his impressive record, Nadal thinks Lionel Messi will win the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award after helping Argentina win a historic third World Cup title.
Nadal backs Messi for the prestigious award
Nadal’s record of 22 Grand slams, which was equaled by Djokovic, may not be enough to win him the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award this year, by his own admission.
Nadal, who is a famously a Real Madrid fan, took to social media, confirming the fact that he is amongst the nominees but said: “An honour to be nominated again to the Laureus Sportsman of the Year… but… this year…Come on Leo Messi, you deserve it.”
Messi is up against fellow Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe, Max Verstappen (F1), Mondo Duplantis (Athletics), Steph Curry (Basketball) and Carlos Alcaraz (Tennis) for the men’s award as well as Nadal himself.
