Not Cristiano, the other player along with Messi that is nominated for award

Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are normally nominated for football awards because of their performances on the football pitch. Ronaldo and Messi have dominated the football scene by winning many individual awards in the last decade. Now, at the end of their careers, Ronaldo and Messi are not in Europe but still receive recognition for the impact they have on their current teams like Al Nassr and Inter Miami, respectively. Lionel Messi was nominated for a new award for Athlete of the Year with other athletes from different sports.

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Lionel Messi is nominated for the Laureus Sportsman of the Year award but not Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi has been nominated for the Laureus Best Athlete Award 8 times in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2020, 2023, and now this year. Messi is the only footballer to win the Laureus Best Athlete Award and he won it twice. The ceremony to announce this year’s awards will be held in Madrid next April 24.

Messi is nominated among athletes like Novak Djokovic, who does Tennis; Noah Lyles, who does Athletics; and Max Verstappen, who is an F1 racer. Novak Djokovic was happy to be nominated among these athletes and couldn't hide his excitement by posting his reaction on his socials. Djokovic wrote, "I was honored to be nominated for the 2024 World Athlete of the Year award from Laureus, along with a distinguished group. Congratulations to my fellow nominees, Duplantis, Noah Lyles, Max Verstappen, and Leo Messi."

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Erling Haaland is also nominated for the award along with Messi

Messi and Erling Haaland will battle for another award since the Norwegian striker is also nominated for this award. Haaland and Messi were contenders for the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA Best Men's Player of the Year awards. Messi won both awards, and many football fans believed it was the wrong decision. Haaland won a treble with Manchester City last season, scoring the most goals out of any European player.