After leading Argentina to World Cup victory in Qatar, Lionel Messi has been named the BBC’s World Sport Star of the Year, glamsquad reports.
The accolade is given to Messi as part of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year celebration, and the 35-year-most old’s recent honor was announced the day following Argentina’s victory.
After a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Lusail Stadium, Argentina defeated France 4-2 on penalties to win their first World Cup in 36 years.
With the victory, Messi followed in the footsteps of fellow Argentine superstar Diego Maradona by leading his respective teams to the world championship.
According to the BBC, an athlete receives the World Sport Star of the Year prize if they “achieved the most remarkable sporting victory on the global stage during the course of the year.”
In his illustrious career, which has already seen the Argentinean win seven Ballon d’Or championships and tally 793 goals, Messi has won the prize for the first time. The award, formerly known as Overseas Sports Personality of the Year, was first presented in 1960 and he becomes just the sixth football player to receive it.
Eusebio, a legendary Portuguese player, and Pele, a three-time World Cup champion from Brazil, are among the honorees. They won in 1966 and 1970, respectively.
After leading Brazil to World Cup victory in 2002, Ronaldo Delima was declared the winner; Cristiano Ronaldo received the award in 2014. The prize was given to Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore in 2021.