> ”I am very happy to be the first to receive this award for the best young athlete. It’s a source of pride,” he said.
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> ”I wanted to thank the Academy, all the legends who have voted for me, my two brothers, Jorge, who has always accompanied me and my team, my mother, my father, my grandmother, all my colleagues and the staff.
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> “Receiving this prestigious award, the Laureus, is very special for me,” he added. “Messi for me is the best footballer in history, but if he is not also the best athlete in history, he will be there. Everyone respects him for everything he has done, I hope I can follow in his footsteps.”