The Barcelona footballer shares the award with Formula one racer, Lewis Hamilton at the awards show on Monday night.
The pair beat Tiger Woods, Rafael Nadal, Marc Marquez and Eliud Kipchoge for the honour of the award. Voting was done by former sports greats who make up the members of the Laureus Academy.
Lewis Hamilton was at the event and was handed his award by former Arsenal coach, Arsene Wenger. He said:
“It’s all of our responsibility to use our platform for really pushing for gender equality, inclusivity and making sure that we are engaging and trying to represent where the world is today.”
Messi who was not at the event said in a video: “I apologise I was not able to come to the event tonight. I really wanted to be there but unfortunately, I could not make it.
“I would like to thank the Academy for giving me this recognition.
“The truth is that this is a very special award and I am honoured to be the first to win this from a team sport. Thank you very much.”
#Laureus20 @LaureusSport ?? Leo #Messi has the floor … https://t.co/qoHZZAPWjP
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 17, 2020
Gymnast Simone Biles was named Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year. She is the most decorated gymnast in world championship history and helped the United States to a fifth team title.
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