Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta find themselves competing against each other along with four other top sporting icons, including Rafael Nadal, for the 'World Sportsman of the Year' trophy at the prestigious Laureus Awards to be announced in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
The club-mates along with American basketball star Kobe Bryant make for three nominees from team sports -- the first time ever for the awards.
Argentine forward Messi struggled for goals at last year's World Cup but has been in red-hot form for Barcelona and managed to pip Iniesta, the inspiring Spanish mid-fielder who was instrumental in clinching his team its maiden World Cup title, for the FIFA World Footballer of the Year honour.
Image: Lionel Messi