Lionel Messi Responds to Rafael Nadal’s Incredible Gesture Ahead of Laureus World Sports Awards 2023

• Lionel Messi was left speechless by Rafael Nadal backing him for the 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards
• The two global stars are among the nominees for the 2023 award, with Messi a perceived favourite
• However, the Argentine captain has stated the Spanish tennis star would also be a deserving recipient

Lionel Messi has offered a beautiful response to Rafael Nadal following the Spaniard's decision to back the Argentine for the 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards.

The respective football and tennis veterans were among the superstars who were nominated for the 2023 award, with the former gunning for a second title.

Should Nadal win, it would be his third title after previous triumphs in 2011 and 2021.

However, as soon as the nominees were revealed, Nadal took to Instagram to express his gratitude for yet another nomination but instead opted to support Messi for this year's gong.

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"An honor to be nominated again to the Laureus Sportsman of the year… but… this year… let’s go Messi, you deserve it."

Messi's response

Messi has been left speechless by Nadal's gesture, but the Paris Saint-Germain forward has indicated that the Spaniard deserves the award as well.

"For an athlete of your size to say this about me leaves me speechless. Thank you very much… you also deserve everything for the way you compete every time you go out on the court. You're a winner; we still have a lot of competition out there, right? Everyone deserves the Laureus this year!" he said as translated by CrewsMat10.

Messi was nominated after a successful season that saw him finally win the FIFA World Cup, while Nadal bagged the Australian and French Open crowns to become the men's player with the most number of wins.

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Full list of Laureus nominees

Messi will face off with his PSG teammate, Kylian Mbappe for the 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards, Sports Brief has reported.

The two were nominated alongside other heavy hitters like Formula 1 Champion, Max Verstappen and NBA Champion, Stephen Curry.

Messi will get stiff competition from Curry, who led the Warriors to a fourth NBA title and Verstappen with his championship run.