McIlroy honoured at Laureus World Sports Awards

Rory McIlroy was among the winners at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards on Monday night, scooping the World Comeback of the Year award.

McIlroy ended an 11-year wait to complete the career Grand Slam with a play-off victory at the 2025 Masters, defending the title with a shot to spare this year.

"There are certain moments in your career that stay with you, and winning the Masters is one I'll carry with me forever. To then have a year like that recognised by Laureus is very special," McIlroy said in a video message.

"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."

Tennis ruled the red carpet in Madrid as Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz were crowned Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year.

The pair were honoured after glittering 2025 campaigns that saw them finish atop the women's and men's tennis rankings.

Alcaraz reclaimed the year-end world number one spot after capturing two majors at the French Open and US Open.

Sabalenka stood alongside him in the winners' circle in New York and also reached the final in Australia and France, capping a season of relentless consistency.

Formula One's Lando Norris picked up the World Breakthrough of the Year award, while Paris Saint-Germain took World Team of the Year gong after a trophy haul in 2025 that included the French league and cup, and their first Champions League crown.

The Laureus World Sports Awards nominees are selected by the global media, while the winners are determined by the 69 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy.

The awards have been presented annually since 2000.