McIlroy and Norris honoured at Laureus awards in Madrid

Rory McIlroy and Lando Norris have both been rewarded for their respective successes in 2025 at the Laureus awards in Madrid. Northern Ireland's McIlroy won the Comeback of the Year award after winning his first Masters golf title last year. England's Formula 1 driver Norris, who won his maiden World Drivers' Championship, took the Breakthrough of the Year award.

McIlroy, who won the Masters again earlier this month, beat Justin Rose in a sudden-death play-off to earn the Green Jacket 12 months ago. The 36-year-old - a former winner of the Breakthrough of the Year award - became just the sixth man in history to win all four Majors following his 2025 Augusta triumph.

"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. "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."

Norris held his nerve in a tense battle with McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri and four-time champion Max Verstappen to win the 2025 championship. The 26-year-old held off some strong competition to scoop the award, with fellow Britain Luke Littler, the darts world champion, among the nominees.

"Winning the world championship is something I dreamed about since I was young, so to win my first in 2025 is pretty special," Norris said. "It's far from being an individual achievement. Without my team, who were also nominated for a Laureus Team of the Year award, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Carlos Alcaraz was named Sportsman of the Year, with fellow tennis player Aryna Sabalenka earning the sportswoman award. Alcaraz, 22, won eight ATP Tour titles, including two Grand Slam events, and ended 2025 ranked as the world number one as he beat rival Jannik Sinner to the award. Sabalenka, 27, added a second US Open crown to her collection as she collected four WTA titles last year.

England's women were in the running for Team of the Year after winning Euro 2025 but the award went to men's Champions League winners Paris St-Germain. British cyclist Tom Pidcock missed out on the Action Sportsperson of the Year award, with American snowboarder Chloe Kim taking the honour.