Patrick Mahomes outshone Lionel Messi at the ESPY Awards, securing the top spot. The 2023 ESPY Awards witnessed the presence of renowned figures from the world of sports and entertainment. The event aimed to honor the most impactful athletes and outstanding performances in the realm of sports.
The Dolby Theater in Hollywood hosted the event. Lionel Messi received nominations in three categories at the awards. He was nominated for Best Championship Performance, Best Athlete in Men’s Sports, and Best Soccer Player. While the Argentine secured two out of the three awards, he fell short of winning the top honor of Best Athlete, placing second in that category.
It’s that time of year!
Who gets your @ESPYS vote for Best Championship Performance? 🏆
— ESPN (@espn) June 21, 2023
Patrick Mahomes claimed the Best Athlete trophy for his exceptional performances as the quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs in the National Football League (NFL). Meanwhile, Lionel Messi secured the Best Championship Performance award for his outstanding contribution to the 2022 World Cup Final. He triumphed over nominees Leon Edwards, Nikola Jokić, and Rose Zhang.
In addition, Messi walked away with the Best Soccer Player accolade, recognizing his remarkable displays for PSG and the Argentina national team. He emerged victorious over fellow nominees Aitana Bonmatí (Spain/Barcelona), Erling Haaland (Norway/Manchester City), and Sophia Smith (USWNT/Portland Thorns).
The ESPYs are one of the most-watched sports awards shows in the United States. The 2022 ESPY Awards drew an average of 2.5 million viewers on ABC, making it the most-watched ESPYs since 2018.
Three soccer stars who have won the Best International Athlete ESPY award
Every year, the ESPYs presents the Best International Athlete ESPY Award to acknowledge and honor a sportsperson who is recognized as the best or most extraordinary among individuals born outside the United States or without US citizenship, and who competes in a significant international sport within a particular calendar year.
The Best International Athlete ESPY Award has been presented since 2006. From 2008 to 2009, it was divided into separate categories for male and female athletes. It was reintroduced as a unified award in 2012.
Throughout the years, this prestigious accolade has been bestowed upon remarkable figures in sports. The recipient list includes tennis legends like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, athletic sensation Usain Bolt, and MLB star Albert Pujols.
Among the recipients, there have been only three male soccer stars who have claimed this award. The legendary duo of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have dominated, winning a total of 7 times between them.
Ronaldo holds the lead with 4 awards, while Kylian Mbappe stands as the only other soccer star to have been honored with the award in 2022. The French superstar received recognition for his exceptional performances for PSG and the France national team.
