Rory McIlroy and Lando Norris Win Big at Laureus World Sport Awards

Rory McIlroy and Lando Norris were among the high-profile athletes honoured at the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards, held in Madrid on Monday evening. The Northern Irish golfer and British Formula 1 driver joined a star-studded list of winners recognised for outstanding achievements in sport over the past year.

McIlroy received the Laureus World Sports Award for Comeback of the Year, acknowledging his victory at the 2025 Masters Tournament in April. The four-time major champion ended an 11-year wait for a fifth green jacket with a commanding performance at Augusta National, overcoming previous struggles to claim his first Masters title since 2019. His win was widely regarded as one of the most significant comebacks in modern golf.

Norris was awarded the Laureus World Sports Award for Breakthrough of the Year, celebrating his maiden Formula 1 victory at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix in May. The McLaren driver secured his first win in 110 race starts, leading from pole position to claim a dominant triumph on the streets of Hard Rock Stadium. The achievement marked a career milestone for the 25-year-old, who had previously come close to victory on multiple occasions.

The Laureus World Sports Awards, often referred to as sport’s equivalent to the Oscars, honour athletic excellence across a range of categories, including Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year, Team of the Year, and awards for overcoming adversity. The 2026 ceremony recognised performances from the period spanning late 2024 to early 2026, with winners selected by the Laureus World Sports Academy, a 68-member panel of sporting legends.

Other notable winners at the 2026 Laureus Awards included:

• Aitana Bonmatí of Spain and FC Barcelona, who won Sportswoman of the Year for her pivotal role in Barcelona’s historic quadruple and Spain’s UEFA Women’s Nations League triumph.
• Lionel Messi, who received the Sporting Icon Award in recognition of his enduring influence on football, following his 2022 FIFA World Cup victory with Argentina and continued excellence at Inter Miami.
• The Argentine men’s football team, honoured with the Team of the Year award after their successful defence of the Copa América title in July 2024.
• Simone Biles, who was awarded the Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year in a separate category, recognising her return to elite gymnastics and multiple medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The ceremony, hosted by British comedian and presenter Jack Whitehall, took place at the Caja Mágica in Madrid and featured appearances from past Laureus winners, including Serena Williams, Usain Bolt, and Michael Phelps. The event was broadcast globally, highlighting sport’s power to inspire and unite across cultures.

McIlroy’s Masters victory in April 2025 came after a final-round 66, securing a one-stroke win over England’s Justin Rose. It was his second Masters title and fifth major championship overall. Norris’ Miami GP win followed a strong season for McLaren, with the team challenging Red Bull for supremacy in the Constructors’ Championship. Both athletes have since continued to compete at the highest level, with McIlroy preparing for the 2026 PGA Championship and Norris aiming to build on his momentum in the ongoing 2026 Formula 1 season.

The Laureus World Sports Awards are supported by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which uses the platform to raise awareness and funding for youth development programmes through sport worldwide. The 2026 edition marked the 23rd iteration of the annual ceremony, first held in 2000.