RAFAEL NADAL begged the panel NOT to vote for him to win the Laureus Sportsman of the Yr – and as an alternative informed them to choose a rival.
The Spanish tennis king, 36, loved a merely beautiful 2022.
Rafael Nadal received two Grand Slams in an unbelievable 2022Credit score: Reuters
He received the Australian Open and French Open to maneuver on to 22 Grand Slam singles titles, the boys’s file now joined by Novak Djokovic.
Nadal additionally went on a 20-match unbeaten streak to kick-start his marketing campaign, regardless of solely simply getting back from damage, and was pressured to withdraw earlier than his Wimbledon semi-final showdown with Nick Kyrgios as a result of an stomach tear.
It was a very outstanding season for the veteran tennis legend, who additionally turned a father for the primary time.
And but he doesn’t assume he deserves to win the celebrated gong.
As a substitute, the football-loving muscle machine believes it ought to go to Lionel Messi.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner led his Argentina facet to a memorable World Cup triumph in Qatar, with the instrumental captain topped participant of the event.
Nadal took to Instagram and mentioned: “An honour to be nominated once more to the Laureus Sportsman of the Yr… however… this yr…
“Come on @leomessi you deserve it.”
Messi replied in fantastic sportsmanlike trend forward of the Laureus awards, that are determined by a group of sporting legends.
The PSG famous person mentioned: “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 best way you compete each time you exit on the court docket.
“You’re a winner, possibly we now have quite a lot of competitors there, huh? You additionally deserve the Laureus award this yr, actually.”
Followers on social media additionally cherished the stylish gesture from the previous world No1 and two-time Wimbledon winner.
One mentioned: “The GOAT Nadal recognises the GOAT Messi, if that’s not lovely…”
One other wrote: “Nadal such a sweetheart let’s goooo Messi for the win.”
And a 3rd added: “This is the reason Nadal is the most effective tennis participant of all time.”
Nadal – who needs compatriot, former world No1 and US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz to win the breakthrough award – is up towards Kylian Mbappe, Max Verstappen, Mondo Duplantis, Steph Curry and Messi for the boys’s award.
On the ladies’s facet, the nominees are Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Athletics), Katie Ledecky (Swimming), Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (Athletics), Alexia Putellas (Soccer), Mikaela Shiffrin (Alpine Snowboarding) and Iga Swiatek (Tennis).
Lionel Messi led Argentina to World Cup glory in QatarCredit score: Getty