Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski and the Italy national team were the football recipients at the 2022 Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony which took place on Sunday.
The awards’ aim is to recognise the greatest sporting achievements of 2021 amongst and Lewandowski and the Azzurri have been recognised as having made their mark.
Lewandowski was awarded the Exceptional Achievement Award while Italy were named Team of the Year.
The Bayern forward won The Best FIFA Men’s Player award for his exploits in 2021 having scored 41 times in the Bundesliga last season and 48 in all competitions.
On receiving his Laureus World Sports award for Exceptional Achievement, Lewandowski said:
“Professional sport is a great passion and joy, but not only fun. Responsibility comes with success, especially these days when innocent people in Ukraine are dying. There is no sport without peace.”
Italy were also honoured at the Laureus Sports awards due to their success in Euro 2020 last year. The Azzurri were crowned European champions after defeating England on penalties in the final at Wembley.
“Last year was fantastic for us. We won the European Championship,” Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini said. “This is more than a dream for me and all my team-mates and we are very happy to receive this award.”
Formula One world champion Max Verstappen and Jamaican Olympic sprinter Elaine Thompson-Herah, were named Laureus World Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year.
Complete list of Laureus World Sports Awards:
World Sportsman of the Year Award: Max Verstappen
World Sportswoman of the Year Award: Elaine Thompson-Herah
World Team of the Year Award: Italy Men’s Football Team
World Breakthrough of the Year Award: Emma Raducanu
World Comeback of the Year Award: Sky Brown
World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award: Marcel Hug
World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award: Bethany Shriever
Lifetime Achievement Award: Tom Brady
Academy Exceptional Achievement Award: Robert Lewandowski
Sporting Icon Award: Valentino Rossi
Sport for Good Award: Lost Boyz Inc.
Sport for Good Society Award: Real Madrid Foundation
Athlete Advocate of the Year Award: Gerald Asamoah and the Black Eagles
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