The Barça striker succeeds Novak Djokovic, and won the award ahead of the likes of Rafael Nadal, Marc Márquez, marathoner Eliud Kipchoge and golfer Tiger Woods.

With 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 World Championships and Ballon d'Ors between them, @LewisHamilton and Lionel Messi share the #Laureus20 World Sportsman of the Year award – a moment of sporting history!

Congratulations guys!#SportUnitesUs pic.twitter.com/7akYcykux2

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— Laureus (@LaureusSport) February 17, 2020

The new award serves to round off a successful 2019, along with the achievement of the Golden Shoe, the Ballon d’Or, The Best and the Pichichi.

In 2020, Messi has already reached his 500th victory with Barça, and currently leads the table for league goals and assists.

Laureus World Sportswoman

Gymnastics star Simone Biles named the Laureus Sportswoman of the Year for the third time.

Biles won five gold medals, including a record fifth all-around title, at the 2019 world championships in Stuttgart.

That made her the most decorated gymnast ever at worlds with 25 medals.

“There cannot be many sportsmen or women who dominate their sports the way she has in gymnastics,” five-time Olympic gold medalist Nadia Comaneci said. “We have to keep remembering that she is just 22, and she is likely to win another stack of gold medals in the Tokyo Olympics.”

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton won his sixth Formula One championship.