The Laureus Award winners 2025 stole the Spanish spotlight last night, transforming Madrid into sport’s most glamorous street‑party since the city last clinched a fútbol treble.
As the Palacio de Cibeles glittered like a magpie’s dream, an all‑star roll‑call of Olympic titans, teenage prodigies and living legends queued up to collect the little silver trophy that every athlete secretly covets.
A quarter‑century of Laureus magic
Twenty-five years on from Monaco’s inaugural ceremony, the Laureus World Sports Awards has grown from a swanky one-night soiree to a bona‑fide movement: 69 Academy icons vote, 300-plus Sport for Good projects benefit, and millions tune in to see whose mantelpiece gains the year’s most coveted statuette.
Sportsman of the Year: Duplantis finally vaults onto the podium
Pole‑vaulting phenomenon Mondo Duplantis needed four nominations before his name was engraved on the big one, but the Swede made up for lost silverware with record‑breaking flair.
“I am incredibly honoured to have won my first Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award in the sporting capital of Madrid … I’ll never forget receiving this beautiful Laureus from the great Novak Djokovic.”
At just 25, Duplantis has more world records than some federations have stationery. The bar, metaphorically and literally, keeps rising.
Sportswoman of the Year: Biles completes her ‘redemption tour’
Simone Biles matched Serena Williams’ record fourth crown, proving that the only thing harder than leaving gymnastics is staying away from it.
“I’m so happy to be here in Madrid and to receive my fourth Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award.”
Three golds, one silver, and a splash‑down landing worthy of NASA—Biles reminded the world why gravity files restraining orders against her.
Comeback of the Year: Andrade’s golden return
After three ACL tears, Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade nearly shelved the leotard for good. Instead, she pirouetted back to Olympic glory and earned a statuette for resilience.
“This beautiful Laureus Statuette represents a huge amount of hard work, of struggle and pain, and also great happiness … standing on top of the Olympic podium again.”
Her floor‑exercise triumph was so moving even rival Simone Biles bowed in deference.
Action Sportsperson: Pidcock’s puncture‑to‑podium miracle
Britain’s Tom Pidcock shrugged off a mid‑race flat tyre, swapped wheels, then hunted down France’s favourite son in a forest finale that had commentators gasping for oxygen. Mountain‑bike mayhem never looked so methodical.
Sportsperson with a Disability: Jiang Yuyan’s seven‑gold sweep
Nineteen‑year‑old Jiang Yuyan went seven‑for‑seven in the Paralympic pool, tying Mark Spitz’s golden haul and setting two world records for good measure. Flag‑bearer, record‑breaker, trail‑blazer—pick your superlative.
Breakthrough of the Year: Lamine Yamal, teenage lightning bolt
Barcelona and Spain’s Lamine Yamal became the youngest scorer and finalist in Euro history, then scooped the breakthrough prize—only the second footballer ever to do so.
Team of the Year: Real Madrid’s trophy avalanche
La Liga? Check. Champions League No. 15? Check. A glittering cabinet that needs an extension? Double‑check. Carlo Ancelotti may require extra luggage for yet another Laureus nod.
Sport for Good: Kick4Life scores beyond the pitch
Lesotho‑based Kick4Life clinched the Sport for Good Award, having empowered over 250,000 youngsters with health education, gender‑equality training and employability skills. Proof that a ball and a cause can change a continent.
Special honours fit for legends
- Rafael Nadal collected the Sporting Icon Award, complete with a Morgan Freeman‑narrated video tribute.
“My retirement from competitive tennis made 2024 an emotional year … I hope that my career has inspired sports fans beyond tennis.”
- Kelly Slater, surfing’s eternal wave‑tamer, received the Lifetime Achievement Award, adding yet another crest to his 11‑title tsunami.
Why the statuette still matters
“Harder to win than Olympic gold,” Duplantis quipped—and the numbers back him up. With nominations driven by global media and final votes cast by 69 sport sages, the Laureus remains the athlete’s athlete award. No judges hiding behind clipboards here—just legends recognising greatness.
Laureus Award Winners 2025
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| World Sportsman of the Year | Mondo Duplantis |
| World Sportswoman of the Year | Simone Biles |
| World Team of the Year | Real Madrid |
| Breakthrough of the Year | Lamine Yamal |
| Comeback of the Year | Rebeca Andrade |
| Sportsperson with a Disability | Jiang Yuyan |
| Action Sportsperson of the Year | Tom Pidcock |
| Sport for Good Award | Kick4Life |
| Sporting Icon Award | Rafael Nadal |
| Lifetime Achievement Award | Kelly Slater |
Legacy beyond the limelight
The Laureus Award winners 2025 leave Madrid with glittering statuettes, but the ceremony’s beating heart is Sport for Good’s mission: harnessing athletic glory to spark social change.
If the past 25 years are any guide, the next quarter‑century will produce fresh heroes, new records and—most vitally—more kids who learn that a ball, a bike or a balance beam can launch a life.
And that, dear readers, is a trophy worth raising.
