The poker grinder’s addition to the list reinforces the belief of many that poker qualifies as a sport
Spain’s Adrian Mateos is receiving unexpected recognition from the broader sports world after being nominated for MARCA’s Top 100 Athletes of the Year list. The Spanish outlet, known as the country’s largest sports newspaper, placed the poker star alongside global names including Shohei Ohtani, Scottie Scheffler, Ousmane Dembélé, and Alexander Ovechkin. His nomination marks a rare moment in which poker is highlighted beside traditional athletic achievements.
Mateos is competing in the Best Sporting Achievement of the Year category and currently leads voting with more than a third of all ballots cast. Speaking from WSOP Paradise, he said the nomination felt special because poker is seldom included in mainstream sports discussions. For him, the acknowledgment reflects both the growing acceptance of poker as a mental sport and the level of dedication the game requires.
His candidacy comes on the heels of a major milestone. In 2025, Mateos captured his fifth World Series of Poker bracelet before turning 30, joining a short list of players who reached that benchmark at such a young age. What sets him apart is that all five victories came in No-Limit Hold’em, a distinction MARCA specifically highlighted when presenting him as a nominee.
Mateos said he is proud to represent poker on a stage typically reserved for traditional athletes. He believes the nomination helps broaden the game’s perception and encourages its recognition as a competitive discipline requiring skill, endurance, and mental sharpness.
Whether he ultimately wins the award remains to be seen, but the nomination itself signals a shift in how poker achievements are valued in the wider sports landscape.
