Lionel Messi has been named the Athlete of the Year by Time

The legendary forward of Inter Miami, Lionel Messi, has been recognized as the top athlete of the departing year 2023 according to the American magazine Time.

The Argentine star joined Inter Miami in the summer of 2023. A multiple Ballon d'Or winner, he moved to MLS as a free agent after departing from PSG. During his time with the current team, Lionel has scored 11 goals and provided five assists in 14 matches across all competitions. However, this wasn't enough to secure his place in the MLS team of the year.

Last year, Messi led the Argentine national team to their first World Cup victory in nearly four decades. He claimed the Ballon d'Or 2023, marking his eighth in his career. Previously, he won the prestigious award in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, and 2022.

Inter Miami failed to qualify for the MLS playoff series last season, finishing 14th in the regular season standings of the Eastern Conference.