Sébastien Haller nominated for Laureus Comeback award

Haller, 29, helped Ivory Coast claim the Africa Cup of Nations with goal in the final against Nigeria on 11 February 2024. He also scored a crucial goal in the semi-finals, just 13 months after overcoming testicular cancer.

After the shock diagnosis in July 2022, shortly after his move to Dortmund from Ajax, Haller underwent surgery to have his cancerous testicle removed. He had multiple rounds of chemotherapy and a further operation, before making his comeback for BVB in January 2023.

Haller went on to register nine goals and five assists in 19 appearances as Dortmund missed out on the 2022/23 Bundesliga title to Bayern Munich on goal difference. He also scored twice in this season's DFB Cup, before firing host nation Ivory Coast to their first AFCON title since 2015.

Watch: Sébastien Haller crowns comeback with AFCON glory

Simone Biles (USA, artistic gymnastics). Katarina Johnson-Thompson (Great Britain, athletics), Siya Kolisi (South Africa, rugby union), Jamal Murray (Canada, basketball) and Marketa Vondrousova (Czechia, tennis) are the other Comeback award nominees. The winner will be announced at a ceremony in Madrid on 22 April 2024.

Held since 2000, the annual Laureus event honours the greatest and most inspirational sporting triumphs of the year. The Laureus World Sports Academy (a unique group of sporting legends) votes for the winners in each shortlisted category.