The Argentine international was named TIME’s Athlete of the Year for 2023 following his breathtaking debut season with Inter Miami. Lionel Messi led the MLS side to their first trophy in a few months after he joined them from Paris Saint Germain. He scored 10 goals in seven games throughout the campaign in the League Cup.
The former Barcelona player also played an important part in his club’s effort to reach the US Open Cup final, losing to Houston Dynamo when he missed the game due to an injury. He is the first-ever individual soccer player to win the prize, with the US Women’s National Team claiming the first in 2019.
