Inter Miami’s forward, Lionel Messi, shows no signs of slowing down in the awards department after a stellar debut season with the team. TIME named the Argentine international its Athlete of the Year for 2023, recognizing his outstanding contributions that led Inter Miami to their first trophy within months of his transition from Paris Saint-Germain. Messi’s remarkable record includes scoring 10 goals in seven games during the League Cup campaign.
Beyond his domestic success, the former Barcelona player played a crucial role in Inter Miami’s journey to the US Open Cup final, even though they ultimately lost to Houston Dynamo, with Messi sidelined due to injury. Notably, Messi became the first individual soccer player to secure this prestigious award, following in the footsteps of the US Women’s National Team in 2019.
Adding to his accolades, the 36-year-old claimed his eighth Ballon d’Or award in October 2023. This recognition came in light of his exceptional performance in guiding Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup hosted in Qatar. Lionel Messi’s impact continues to reverberate, solidifying his status as a football legend.
Lionel Messi is TIME's 2023 Athlete of the Year https://t.co/qPR75Hgt6f pic.twitter.com/EXqxl08lZN
— TIME (@TIME) December 5, 2023