A host of sporting greats were honoured for their achievements at the annual Laureus World Sports Awards, held in Berlin on Monday night, and Sportsmail’s photographer Andy Hooper was allowed exclusive behind the scenes access to capture the glitzy ceremony in all of its glory.
Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton and football superstar Lionel Messi shared the Laureus Sportsman of the Year. Hamilton, 35, a six-time world champion and Barcelona star Messi, 32, share the award for their achievements in 2019.
This is the first time a footballer has won the award and also the first occasion in the event’s 20-year history when the jury reached a tied decision.
Lewis Hamilton was co-crowned Laureus Sportsman of the Year – a title won alongside Lionel Messi (who wasn’t present)
Hamilton collected the prestigious award from former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger at the glitzy bash on Monday night
In his speech Hamilton acknowledged the responsibility of the world’s top sports stars to push for greater diversity
The six-time, and current reigning, F1 champion also vowed to continue to take a lead in the fight against climate change
‘I am honoured to be the first to win this award being a sportsperson coming from a team sport,’ Messi said from Barcelona via a video message.
Hamilton who did attend the event was presented with his award by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
The Brit acknowledged the responsibility of the world’s top sports stars to push for greater diversity
‘Our sport has very little to no diversity – it’s an issue we’re continually facing,’ he said.
‘It is all our responsibility to use our platforms for that: really pushing for gender equality, inclusivity, really making sure we are engaging and representing where the world is today.’
The Mercedes driver also vowed to continue to take a lead in the fight against climate change.
Hamilton sold his £25million private jet last year and has stated his desire to become carbon-neutral despite accusations of hypocrisy as he successfully pursued a sixth world drivers’ title.
‘I’m very conscious of the effect we’re all having on the environment which is such a key issue today,’ he added.
‘I’m beginning to make changes and trying to be part of the solution rather than the problem, and try to encourage other people to follow in my footsteps to build a better world.
‘We’re in a really difficult and challenging time where we’re putting our future and our children’s futures at risk because of what we’re doing to the environment.’
Hamilton will match Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world titles if he retains his crown in the new Formula One season which begins in Australia next month.
South Africa’s men’s rugby union team were honoured with Team of the Year after winning the Rugby World Cup
The Springboks, captained by Siya Kolisi (front), convincingly swept aside England 32-12 in the showpiece in November
South Africa scrum-half Faf de Klerk was a constant thorn in the England side as South Africa won a third Rugby World Cup
Springboks captain Kolisi fixes his knee brace on his injured left leg as his team-mates enjoy a joke on the red carpet
South Africa beat Liverpool and the USA women’s football team to the gong at the Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony
US gymnastics superstar Simone Biles, who won five titles at the 2019 world championships in Stuttgart to leave her with a record 25 world gold medals, took the Laureus Sportswoman of the Year award for the third time.
‘It means the world to me, this is my third Laureus award and I’m really grateful,’ said Biles in a video message.
South Africa, who won the 2019 Rugby World Cup, were named Team of the Year, beating Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool and the USA women’s football team.
Springboks captain Siya Kolisi was joined on stage by six South African team-mates to collect the trophy.
‘With this group of players, we came together for the love of the game with one goal and fought so hard for each other,’ Kolisi told the audience in Berlin.
‘We gave everything we had to win the trophy and hopefully inspire kids for generations to come.’
Sophia Floersch scooped the comeback of the year award for racing once again at the Macau Grand Prix last November
It came a year after a crash on the same circuit left the German Formula Three driver with a spinal fracture
Barcelona legend Carles Puyol was among the sporting celebrities in attendance for the Berlin bash on Monday night
Puyol’s former Barcelona team-mate Luis Figo walked the red carpet alongside his wife and Swedish model Helen Svedin
AC Milan and Holland icon Ruud Gullit was another there – with the charismatic 57-year-old in a jovial mood on the red carpet
Gullit, who managed Chelsea in the 1990s, expresses himself behind the scenes at the Laureus World Sports Awards
The Euro 1988 winner takes a photo on the red carpet too – as a raft of sporting stars past and present descended on Berlin
Among the distinguished guests at the awards was former longtime Arsenal manager Wenger
Former England, AC Milan, Real Madrid and Juventus manager Fabio Capello speaks to fellow guests before the event starts
Liverpool legend Ian Rush travelled to Berlin with his wife Tracey, as they posed for a photo behind a Nelson Mandela painting
Snowboarding sensation Chloe Kim, 19, won the Action Sportsperson Award after taking gold medals at the world championship halfpipe and X Games super pipe.
Oksana Masters, who was born with limb impairments caused by radiation from Chernobyl and was later adopted in the USA, won the Sportsperson with a Disability Award.
The 30-year-old won five gold medals and a silver at the world para nordic skiing championships and also took the cross-country overall world cup title.
She also won silver medals in the road race and time trial H5 at the para cycling road world championships.
Colombia’s Egan Bernal, 22, who became the youngest rider to win the Tour de France for 110 years, won the Breakthrough Award after winning the world’s top cycling race in what was only his second three-week classic event.
Boris Becker (centre) won six Grand Slams during an illustrious career – including three Wimbledons in 1985, 1986 and 1989
Following the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant last month, a board was erected for those to pay their respects. Four-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Johnson was among those who wrote on it. Bryant died in a helicopter crash with nine others in California – one of those included his daughter, Gianna.
Great British Olympic legends Jessica Ennis-Hill and Daley Thompson were also invited to the glitzy spectacle on Monday
‘I’m really happy, this is a big result for me in my career,’ the Colombian said in a video.
German F3 driver Sophia Floersch scooped the Comeback of the Year award for racing once again at the Macau Grand Prix last November, a year after a crash on the same circuit left her with a spinal fracture.
Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar won the public vote for the Top Sporting Moment over the last 20 Years for leading his country to victory at the 2011 World Cup at the sixth attempt.
German basketball star Dirk Nowitzki was recognised with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Tanni Grey-Thompson, who won 11 Paralympic gold medals between 1992 and 2004, is interviewed by Gethin Jones
Former Great Britain track cycling stars Sir Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendelton (right) dressed elegantly for the annual event
Former Ireland rugby union captain Brian O’Driscoll wore an all out black outfit offset by white trainers
Oksana Masters, who was born with limb impairments caused by radiation from Chernobyl, won the Sportsperson with a Disability Award
Team GB skateboarder Sky Brown (centre) greets a friend on the red carpet just before the prestigious ceremony starts
The Japanese-born 11-year-old could become the youngest-ever gold medal winner at Tokyo 2020 this summer
Guests both young and old mingled behind the scenes in Berlin – including skateboarding legend Tony Hawks (centre right)
Sporting superstars including Boris Becker, Ruud Gullit, Arsene Wenger and Carles Puyol were all in attendance for the star-studded celebration.
The categories at the awards included the World Action Sportsperson Of The Year, World Sportswoman Of The Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Sporting Moment Of The Year, World Breakthrough Of The Year, World Comeback Of The Year, World Sportsman Of The Year, World Sportsperson Of The Year With A Disability, World Team Of The Year, Sport For Good Award and Exceptional Achievement Award.
Established in 1999, the awards recognise individuals and teams from the world of sports and their sporting achievements throughout the year, supporting the work of Laureus Sport for Good, which advocates more than 160 community projects in more than 40 countries across the world.
The organisation attempts to use the power of sport to end violence, discrimination and disadvantage, and prove that sport has the power to change the world.
Following Sharon Stone’s withdrawal, British actor Hugh Grant stepped in at late notice to present the awards ceremony
Formula One great Hamilton listens in to production staff before sharing the Sportsman of the Year with Messi
British sports presenter Amanda Davies prepares to go on stage before the start of the presentation of the awards
Ukrainian-American Paralympic rower and cross-country skier Masters sings the wall at the event in Berlin