The Laureus World Sports Awards is an annual award ceremony honouring individuals and teams from the world of sports along with sporting achievements throughout the year. This year, the panel of 71 members from Laureus Sports Academy (including Alessandro Del Piero) assigned the ‘Team of the Year’ award to the European Champions. This is the second Laureus Award for the Azzurri, who received the accolade back in 2007 following their FIFA World Cup victory.

During the ceremony held on Sunday evening in Seville and presented by Lindsay Vonn, awards were given to a whole host of sports stars, including F1 world champion Max Verstappen (Laureus World Sportsman) and Jamaican Olympic champion sprinter Elaine Thompson-Herah (Laureus World Sportswoman). Special prizes were given to Valentino Rossi (Laureus Sporting Icon), who retired from Moto GP racing after a career spanning 25 years, and seven-time NFL champion Tom Brady (Laureus Lifetime Achievement).

The award given to the Azzurri celebrates the magnificent EURO 2020 triumph, 53 years on from when Italy last won the tournament. It as an outstanding success story, the culmination of a 34-game unbeaten run after a profound rebuild. Five Azzurri players were named in the Team of the Tournament, including the player of the tournament, Gianluigi Donnarumma.

“Thank you for this outstanding award. I believe it should be shared with the whole team, the players and all the staff following the excellent work that allowed us to win the European Championship. Considering the importance of this prize, I’d like to share it with all the young people of the world,” said Roberto Mancini.

FIGC President Gabriele Gravina had the following to say: “I’d like to thank Laureus for choosing our Federation and National Team as the winner of this award, one which is particularly important when you look at the meaning behind it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

“I would like to thank the Laureus Academy members,” added Azzurri captain Giorgio Chiellini. “Winning the Euros last year was fantastic. My teammates and I are very happy.”

Laureus Academy Member Alessandro Del Piero, who was part of the 2006 World Cup-winning squad, said: “The Laureus is the greatest award for a team in world sport. There were six outstanding nominees, but this year we selected the team which managed to produce something really special when it was needed the most. The winners of this edition represent the country which suffered more than most at the start of the pandemic. Through their determination and passion, they transmitted hope and belief to an entire nation.” 

Here is the complete list of winners:

Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award: Max Verstappen

Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award: Elaine Thompson-Herah

Laureus World Team of the Year Award: Italy men’s football team

Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award: Emma Raducanu

Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award: Sky Brown

Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award: Marcel Hug

Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award: Bethany Shriever

Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award: Tom Brady

Laureus Academy Exceptional Achievement Award: Robert Lewandowski

Laureus Sporting Icon Award: Valentino Rossi

Laureus Sport for Good Award: Lost Boyz Inc.

Laureus Sport for Good Society Award: Real Madrid Foundation

Laureus Athlete Advocate of the Year Award: Gerald Asamoah and Black Eagles

 

Click here for full biographies of the winners and the list of nominees.