Reigning MotoGP champion Marc Marquez has been nominated for the 2026 Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award.
The Spanish star joins a shortlist featuring Carlos Alcaraz (Tennis), Ousmane Dembele (Football), Mondo Duplantis (Athletics), Tadej Pogarcar (Cycling) and Jannik Sinner (Tennis)
“This is my sixth nomination for the Laureus World Sports Awards – but I still get that same buzz that I felt receiving my first one, 12 years ago!” Marquez said.
“The quality of the Nominees goes to show how special the Awards are, and I’m delighted to be shortlisted amongst such prestigious company.”
Marquez previously won the Laureus Breakthrough of the Year award in 2013. He was nominated for World Sportsman in 2015 and 2020, and for Comeback of the Year in 2022 and 2025.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
The Spaniard endured gruelling injuries and uncompetitive machinery before breaking a record five-year drought between MotoGP titles in his debut season at the factory Ducati team.
“It has been an enjoyable but challenging year for me: I’ve been waiting for a long time to get back to the top, and [last] season took an incredible effort to win the title again,”
“There’s more work to be done, but it’s a special honour to be shortlisted for this Award alongside incredible athletes from tennis, football, athletics, and cycling.”
The only motorsport winners of the World Sportsman award to date have been Michael Schumacher (2002, 2004), Sebastian Vettel (2014) and Lewis Hamilton (2020).
Last year’s award was won by pole vault athlete Mondo Duplantis.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
The 2026 winner will be announced at a ceremony in Madrid, now Marquez’s home city, on 20 April.
Subscribe to our MotoGP Newsletter