Inter Miami’s forward, Lionel Messi, continues to add to his accolades, showcasing his relentless pursuit of excellence on the field.
The Argentine international has been honored as TIME’s Athlete of the Year for 2023, a recognition well-deserved after his sensational debut season with Inter Miami. Messi played a pivotal role in leading the MLS side to their first trophy shortly after joining them from Paris Saint-Germain. His remarkable contribution included scoring 10 goals in seven games during the League Cup campaign.
Beyond his domestic success, the former Barcelona player significantly contributed to Inter Miami’s journey to the US Open Cup final, although an unfortunate injury kept him out of the crucial match, resulting in a loss to Houston Dynamo. Messi’s achievement is historic, as he becomes the first individual soccer player to secure this prestigious prize, with the US Women’s National Team claiming the inaugural title in 2019.
At 36 years old, Messi also secured a record eighth Ballon d’Or award in October 2023. This recognition stems from his outstanding performance in helping Argentina secure victory in the 2022 World Cup hosted in Qatar. As the curtain falls on 2023, Lionel Messi continues to shine brightly in the world of football.
Lionel Messi is TIME’s 2023 Athlete of the Year https://t.co/qPR75Hgt6f pic.twitter.com/EXqxl08lZN
— TIME (@TIME) December 5, 2023
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