Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah won the Laureus Athlete Advocate of the Year Award in Seville, Spain on Thursday.
The 28-year-old, who is second in the Premier League top scorers chart is a powerful advocate of women's equality in the Middle East.
He has also been named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Upon receiving the award, Salah said: "I'm very proud to have been chosen by the Laureus Academy for this Sporting Inspiration Award.
"2020 was a very difficult year, on so many levels and for so many people around the world. Some of us were kept away from our family and friends, and others even lost loved ones. We need to learn from this experience, support one another, and do our best to look ahead.
The awards were held virtually due to the coronavirus and travel restrictions. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp heaped praise on his talisman for his gesture.
“Everybody knows, when you think about Mo Salah, you think – first and foremost – about an outstanding football player, a great goalscorer, super technician and a good-looking guy probably” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said of his player.
“What you do not see and what you do not know, maybe, if you are not (looking) too much in detail, (is) what kind of a good person he is. And, if I tell you he is an even better person than he is a player, then you might be able to imagine what kind of guy he is.” Klopp stressed.
Salah the Egyptian was honoured with the Sporting Inspiration Award following his support for charitable causes and commitment to fighting social injustice during the last few years. He is active in regeneration projects in Nagrig, his hometown.
The full list of Winners:
Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award: Rafael Nadal
Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award: Naomi Osaka
Laureus World Team of the Year Award: Bayern Munich
Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award: Patrick Mahomes
Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award: Max Parrot
Laureus Sport for Good Award: KICKFORMORE by KICKFAIR
Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award: Billie Jean King
Laureus Athlete Advocate of the Year Award: Lewis Hamilton
Laureus Sporting Inspiration Award: Mohamed Salah
Laureus Sporting Moment of the Year Award: Chris Nikic