Rafael Nadal urges in opposition to voting him for Laureus Sportsman of the 12 months, backs Lionel Messi for the distinguished award.

RAFAEL NADAL pleaded with the panel to not vote for him for the Laureus Sportsman of the 12 months and urged them to pick out one among his rivals as an alternative.

The Spanish tennis champion, 36, had a exceptional 2022, profitable two Grand Slams, the Australian Open and the French Open, to take his males’s document to 22 titles, which he now shares with Novak Djokovic. He additionally had a 20-match unbeaten streak and have become a father for the primary time, however he believes he doesn’t need to win the distinguished award.

Rafael Nadal received two Grand Slams in an unbelievable 2022Credit score: Reuters

He was additionally pressured to withdraw from Nick Kyrgios’ Wimbledon semi-final match resulting from an belly tear however nonetheless had an exceptional season.

Nadal, who’s captivated with soccer, recommended that Lionel Messi must be the one to obtain the award resulting from his pivotal function in main the Argentine staff to victory within the World Cup in Qatar. Nadal posted on Instagram, “An honour to be nominated once more to the Laureus Sportsman of the 12 months… however… this yr… Come on @leomessi you deserve it.”

Messi replied graciously, saying, “That an athlete as nice as you says that about me leaves me speechless… Thanks very a lot, Rafa Nadal, you additionally deserve all the pieces for the way in which you compete each time you exit on the courtroom. You’re a winner, perhaps now we have a whole lot of competitors there, huh? You additionally deserve the Laureus award this yr, actually.”

Followers on social media lauded Nadal’s stylish gesture, with one calling him the “GOAT” and others rooting for Messi to win the award.

Nadal is up in opposition to different high athletes reminiscent of Kylian Mbappe, Max Verstappen, Mondo Duplantis, and Steph Curry, for the Sportsman of the 12 months award. The nominees for the Sportswoman of the 12 months are Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Athletics), Katie Ledecky (Swimming), Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (Athletics), Alexia Putellas (Soccer), Mikaela Shiffrin (Alpine Snowboarding), and Iga Swiatek (Tennis). Nadal can be rooting for his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz to win the Breakthrough Award.