Lionel Messi Nominated For MLS Award Despite Playing Six Games 

Lionel Messi, who only appeared in six league games for Inter Miami in 2023, has been named a finalist for an MLS end-of-year award.

The Argentina captain has been included in the final three candidates for the MLS Newcomer of the Year award despite only playing six times in the competition for Inter Miami. The finalists were determined by a vote of MLS players, MLS club staff members (coaches, technical directors/general managers), and members of the media.

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Messi only joined Inter Miami in July, but considering the significant impression he’s made in his brief time in the US, it’s hardly surprising that he’s a strong candidate for this award. Fans are flocking to see the tiny magician in action, and his incredible earnings are a reflection of how important his presence is to the league’s expanding reputation as a whole, in addition to his club.

To win the Newcomer Award, Messi will have to fight off competition from Atlanta United’s Giorgios Giakoumakis and St Louis City’s Eduard Lowen. All three players made their MLS debuts in 2023, and while the other two candidates have impressed since joining the division, it’s hard to argue that Messi’s incredible impact on the league has been matched by anyone else.