Lionel Messi left 'speechless' after Nadal urges fans to back him for Laureus award: "You deserve it as well for the way you compete"

Widely regarded as the greatest footballer of the current generation, Paris Saint Germain's Lionel Messi is up for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award.

Alongside a certain Rafael Nadal who urged fans to back Messi instead of him for the award which also sees Kylian Mbappe, Max Verstappen, Armand Duplantis and Steph Curry nominated.

“An honour to be nominated again to the Laureus Sportsman of the Year…but…this year…come on Lionel Messi you deserve it,” wrote Nadal on Instagram.

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Responding Messi said that it left him speechless to be given such a backing and that they both deserve it in his opinion.

"That an athlete as great as you put that on me, leaves me speechless. Many thanks Rafa, you deserve it as well for the way you compete every time you go on court. You are a winner."