Image: Messi spotted in conversation with Lewandowski at Laureus World Sports Awards

In 2020, former Barcelona captain Lionel Messi became the first footballer in history to be named the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year. However, he was not the outright winner as he shared the award with Lewis Hamilton on the night.

After his stellar run with Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2022 that ended with him embracing football’s most coveted trophy, Messi was nominated once again for the 2023 edition of the award.

This time, the Argentine star won the accolade for himself and in the process, became the only footballer to win it twice. 

Just a while before the announcement, a photo of the record Ballon d’Or winner in conversation with Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski at the Laureus Award Ceremony surfaced and once again set off rumours of his return. 

Image: Leo Messi and his wife with Robert Lewandowski today at the Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony. pic.twitter.com/VPi2bbCZ7u

— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) May 8, 2023

Lewandowski’s Poland was just one of the teams that fell prey to the Albiceleste in December at the World Cup. But there is a lot of mutual respect between the pair. In fact, the Pole has even spoken openly about wishing to play with the club’s former talisman.

“Messi belongs at Barça and if he comes back it will be incredible. We know his place is here at Barcelona. I don’t know what will happen, but I hope that next season we can play together.”

While the offices at Spotify Camp Nou are working hard to make Messi’s dream return a reality, reports earlier in the day suggest that the World Cup winner is closer to a move to Saudi Arabia. The coming weeks will undoubtedly be crucial in deciding the course of his future.