Rory McIlroy and Lando Norris have been celebrated at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid, earning recognition for their remarkable achievements during the 2025 season.
Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy received the Comeback of the Year award following his long-awaited Masters victory last year, which completed his career Grand Slam. The 36-year-old triumphed at Augusta National after a dramatic sudden-death playoff against Justin Rose, becoming only the sixth golfer in history to win all four major championships.
"There are certain moments in your career that stay with you, and winning the Masters is one I'll carry with me forever," McIlroy said. "Completing the career Grand Slam was incredibly emotional. It's something I've been chasing for a long time, and it probably means more because of everything that came before it—the near misses, the setbacks, and the questions along the way."
Meanwhile, British Formula 1 driver Lando Norris claimed the Breakthrough of the Year award after securing his first World Drivers' Championship in 2025. The 26-year-old McLaren driver prevailed in a tense season-long battle against teammate Oscar Piastri and four-time champion Max Verstappen to claim the title.
"Winning the world championship is something I dreamed about since I was young, so to win my first in 2025 is pretty special," Norris remarked. "It's far from being an individual achievement. Without my team, who were also nominated for a Laureus Team of the Year award, I wouldn't be where I am today."
The awards ceremony also honored several other standout athletes from 2025:
- Carlos Alcaraz earned Sportsman of the Year honors after winning eight ATP Tour titles, including two Grand Slam events, and finishing the year as world number one.
- Aryna Sabalenka was named Sportswoman of the Year following her second US Open victory and four WTA titles.
- Paris Saint-Germain claimed Team of the Year after winning the men's Champions League, edging out England's women's football team who won Euro 2025.
- Other winners included Chloe Kim (Action Sportsperson), Lamine Yamal (Young Sportsperson), and gymnastics legend Nadia Comaneci (Lifetime Achievement).
Both McIlroy and Norris have continued their winning ways into 2026, with McIlroy recently capturing another Masters title and Norris maintaining his position as a championship contender in Formula 1.