Not Messi. The name of the best athlete of 2023 has been determined

The annual Laureus Awards, honoring the best athletes of the year, ceremony took place in Madrid.

In 2023, the title of the best athlete was awarded to the world's number one tennis player, legendary Novak Djokovic. He surpassed footballers Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland, as well as Mondo Duplantis (pole vault), Noah Lyles (short-distance running), and Max Verstappen (Formula 1) in the voting.

This marks Djokovic's fifth such award in his career. Previously, he was named the Athlete of the Year in 2012, 2015, 2016, and 2019.

In 2023, Lionel Messi won the Laureus award, in 2022 it was Max Verstappen, and in 2021, Rafael Nadal.

The award for the Breakthrough of the Year went to Real Madrid footballer Jude Bellingham. The Female Athlete of the Year was recognized as Barcelona footballer Aitana Bonmati.